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Changes in the perception of mental illness stigma in Germany over the last two decades

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 April 2020

Matthias C. Angermeyer ,
Herbert Matschinger ,
Mauro G. Carta  and
Georg Schomerus
Matthias C. Angermeyer*
Affiliation:
Center for Public Mental Health, Untere Zeile 13, A-3482Gösing am Wagram, Austria Department of Public Health and Clinical and Molecular Medicine, University of Cagliari, Italy
Herbert Matschinger
Affiliation:
Institute of Social Medicine, Occupational Health and Public Health, University of Leipzig, Germany Department of Health Economics and Health Services Research, University of Hamburg, Germany
Mauro G. Carta
Affiliation:
Department of Public Health and Clinical and Molecular Medicine, University of Cagliari, Italy
Georg Schomerus
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Ernst Moritz Arndt University Greifswald, Germany HELIOS Hanseklinikum Stralsund, Germany
*
*Corresponding author. Tel.: +43 664 43 53 199. E-mail address:angermeyer@aon.an (M.C. Angermeyer).
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Abstract

Purpose

To examine the evolution of the perception of the stigma attached to mental illness in Germany since 1990 up to the present.

Subjects and methods

Population surveys were conducted in the old German States (former Federal Republic of Germany) in 1990, 2001, and 2011. The perception of stigma attached to people with mental illness was assessed with the help of Link's perceived discrimination and devaluation scale.

Results

In the 2011 survey, less mental illness stigma was perceived by respondents than in the previous surveys. In the eyes of the German public, the devaluation and rejection of people with mental illness has substantially decreased since 1990.

Discussion

The perception of a decline of the stigmatization is in contrast to the development of the German public's attitudes towards persons with mental disorders, which remained unchanged or even worsened.

Conclusion

Perceived and personal attitudes towards persons with mental illness have developed differently, and it remains to be seen whether perceptions of less public stigma will ultimately be followed by improved personal attitudes.

Keywords

Perceived stigmaMental illnessTime trendPopulation survey
Type
Original article
Information
European Psychiatry , Volume 29 , Issue 6 , August 2014 , pp. 390 - 395
Copyright
Copyright © Elsevier Masson SAS 2014

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