Effects of Controllability and Language on Stigma Toward Mental Illness

Although previous research has consistently found that people tend to stigmatize mental illness, it is important to explore the psychological factors that influence this stigma and the various dimensions of stigma involved (e.g., fear, perceptions of dangerousness, and willingness to offer help; Brohan et al., 2010). In the current study (n = 438), we manipulated the controllability of fictitious mental illnesses (between-subjects; controllable vs. uncontrollable) and examined participants’ stigmatization across 6 dimensions (e.g., fear, help, forcing treatment, and negative emotions; Brown, 2008) but many fail to have documented or adequate psychometric properties. The purpose of this study was to further evaluate the psychometric properties of one such measure, the Attribution Questionnaire. We also examined whether effects of controllability on stigmatization were moderated by language (within-subjects; person-first vs identity-first). In the low (compared to high) controllability condition, participants responded with more fear, empathy, negative emotion, and intention to force treatment, but attributed less responsibility and tendency to help (p < .001). We found no evidence for a main effect of language (p = .06). Language condition did not moderate effects of controllability on dimension of stigma (p = .38). This study highlights the multifaceted nature of mental health stigma and suggests that controllability may be an important, but nuanced, factor in mental health stigma.