A cross-sectional survey of stigma towards people with a mental illness in the general public. The role of employment, domestic noise disturbance and age

Introduction: Stigmatization impedes the social integration of persons recovering from mental illnesses. Little is known about characteristics of the stigmatized person that lessen or aggravate public stigma.

Purpose: This study investigates which characteristics of persons with mental illnesses (i.e. with a depression or a psychotic disorder) might increase or decrease the likelihood of public stigma.

Methods: Over 2,000 adults read one of sixteen vignettes describing a person with a depressive disorder or a psychotic disorder and answered a set of items measuring social distance.

Results: The person who was employed (vs. unemployed), or whose neighbors did not experience domestic noise disturbance (vs. disturbance) elicited significantly less social distance. Also persons with a depressive disorder elicited less social distance, vs. persons with a psychotic disorder.

Conclusion: Employment and good housing circumstances may destigmatize persons coping with mental illnesses. Mental health and social services should encourage paid employment, quality housing and other paths to community integration.