Abstract
The aim of this study is investigate whether the cross-cultural value paradigm ‘individualism-collectivism’ is a useful explanatory
model for mental illness stigma on a cultural level. Using snowball sampling, a quantitative questionnaire survey of 305 individuals
from four UK-based cultural groups (white-English, American, Greek/Greek Cypriot, and Chinese) was carried out. The questionnaire
included the ‘Community Attitudes to Mental Illness scale’ and the ‘vertical-horizontal individualism-collectivism scale’.
The results revealed that the more stigmatizing a culture’s mental illness attitudes are, the more likely collectivism effectively
explains these attitudes. In contrast, the more positive a culture’s mental illness attitudes, the more likely individualism
effectively explains attitudes. We conclude that a consideration of the individualism-collectivism paradigm should be included
in any future research aiming to provide a holistic understanding of the causes of mental illness stigma, particularly when
the cultures stigmatization levels are particularly high or low.
model for mental illness stigma on a cultural level. Using snowball sampling, a quantitative questionnaire survey of 305 individuals
from four UK-based cultural groups (white-English, American, Greek/Greek Cypriot, and Chinese) was carried out. The questionnaire
included the ‘Community Attitudes to Mental Illness scale’ and the ‘vertical-horizontal individualism-collectivism scale’.
The results revealed that the more stigmatizing a culture’s mental illness attitudes are, the more likely collectivism effectively
explains these attitudes. In contrast, the more positive a culture’s mental illness attitudes, the more likely individualism
effectively explains attitudes. We conclude that a consideration of the individualism-collectivism paradigm should be included
in any future research aiming to provide a holistic understanding of the causes of mental illness stigma, particularly when
the cultures stigmatization levels are particularly high or low.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-11
- DOI 10.1007/s10597-012-9534-x
- Authors
- Chris Papadopoulos, Institute for Health Research, University of Bedfordshire, Putteridge Bury, Hitchin Road, Bedfordshire, LU2 8LE UK
- John Foster, Department of Family Care and Mental Health, Greenwich University, Mary Seacole Building, Avery Campus, Eltham, London, SE9 2UG UK
- Kay Caldwell, Institute of Nursing and Midwifery, Middlesex University, Archway Campus, Highgate Hill, London, N19 3UA UK
- Journal Community Mental Health Journal
- Online ISSN 1573-2789
- Print ISSN 0010-3853