Date Thesis Awarded
5-2009
Access Type
Honors Thesis -- Access Restricted On-Campus Only
Degree Name
Bachelors of Arts (BA)
Department
Psychology
Advisor
Glenn Shean
Committee Members
Paul Kieffaber
Thomas John Linneman
Abstract
Mental disorders are often associated with social stigmas and lead to discrimination. The aim of the current study is to collect information to minimize stigma toward mental illnesses. There were 114 participants in study one (76% females), all of whom were introductory psychology students. Participants watched interviews of individuals with mental disorders, and then rated them on the Social Distance Scale, Social Attribution Scale, and Attitudes and Social Willingness Scale. Participants with firsthand experience of mental illnesses rated individuals with more acceptance than their counterparts. Results indicate amount of stigma toward individuals vary depending on diagnosis. There were 74 participants in study two (70% females). Study two expanded on study one by adding the Modern Racism Scale and an anti-stigma video. These variables were not related to stigma ratings.
Recommended Citation
Posey, Meghan Marie, "Attitudes Toward Mental Disorders" (2009). Undergraduate Honors Theses. William & Mary. Paper 272.
https://scholarworks.wm.edu/honorstheses/272
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License.
Comments
Thesis is part of Honors ETD pilot project, 2008-2013. Migrated from Dspace in 2016.