Behavior or diagnosis? Effects of irritable patient behavior and a schizophrenia diagnosis on mental illness stigma.

What is it about?

Significant stigma towards individuals with schizophrenia exists, but the importance of different signaling events for schizophrenia (e.g., irritable/atypical behavior, a written label) in generating stigma remains poorly understood. Across two studies, irritable behavior results in stigma by increasing negative emotions, and a written schizophrenia label results in stigma by increasing the endorsement of harmful stereotypes. Uncovering distinct stigma mechanisms as a function of label and behavior has implications for antistigma interventions.

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