Social desirability and self-reported levels of stigma among mental health providers as it relates to people with schizophrenia

Abstract

This study explores the relationship between levels of mental health stigma in mental health providers, and how they compare to the general population. In this literature mental health stigma is explored through the lens of neuroscience, cognitive psychology, and the Mental Illness Stigma Framework (MISF). The participants in this study were divided into two dichotomous groups: general population and mental health providers. Two driving variables, levels of stigma and social desirability, were explored and compared between populations. The results of analysis demonstrated the difference in level of mental health stigma between both populations were not statistically significant. While level of social desirability was positively correlated, and elevated, in the mental health provider population with statistical significance as compared to the general population.