ZME Science
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science

Home → Science → News

Political conservatives more prone to stigmatize the mentally ill

As if living with a mental illness wasn't tough enough, many are stigmatized and discriminated by the rest of the 'mentally well' population.

Tibi PuiubyTibi Puiu
March 30, 2016 - Updated on November 16, 2020
in Health, News
A A
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterSubmit to Reddit

RelatedPosts

Almost $3.4 trillion divested away from fossil fuel, $800 bn. more than in September
The link between the music you listen to and your personality isn’t exactly clear
Archaeologists uncover 1,300-year-old throne room in Peru linked to powerful female ruler
Amazing wildlife crossings that go a long way

As if living with a mental illness wasn’t tough enough, many are stigmatized and discriminated by the rest of the population. Many people with a mental illness report that how others judge them is one of their greatest barriers to a complete and satisfying life. A new study suggests conservatives are much likelier to hold negative stereotypes about the mentally ill than moderates and liberals.

Election poster, 1939. It reads: Comrades - let it now be over! Vote for more work. Vote Conservative.
Election poster, 1939. It reads: Comrades – let it now be over! Vote for more work. Vote Conservative.

Joseph DeLuca and Philip Yanos, of the City University of New York surveyed 505 participants from New York state with questions meant to determine political opinions, as well as beliefs and attitudes about people living mental illnesses like major depression, bipolar disorder, PTSD, panic disorder or schizophrenia.

The first barrage of questions grouped participants into either conservatives, moderates or liberals. The next questions measured the participants Right Wing Authoritarianism (RWA) beliefs. RWA refers to the ideology that emphasizes obedience of traditional authority and promotes hostility to stigmatized groups. A high RWA score is associated with prejudice towards minority groups.

The survey suggests that politically conservatives tend to hold the most stigmatized beliefs about the mentally ill. They were also likelier to put the most social distance between themselves and mentally ill people.

“Individuals with ‘High RWA’ were more likely to see individuals with mental illness as dangerous and unpredictable, and less willing to want to socially associate with individuals with mental illness. These results remained statistically significant even when controlling for other factors that consistently predict mental health stigma. Negative stereotypes also partially mediated individuals with RWA’s significant relationship to social distance,” the researchers wrote in the International Journal of Social Psychiatry.

Many studies have found that media and the entertainment industry play a key role in shaping public opinions about mental health and illness. People with mental health conditions are often depicted as dangerous, violent and unpredictable. News stories that sensationalize violent acts by a person with a mental health condition are typically featured as headline news. The many cases of recovery from illness are less appealing to cover. The fact that most mental illness are a threat solely to the patient, and not other people, is easily discarded as well. The present research suggests conservatives are more likely than people of other political orientations to hold negative stereotypes about the mentally ill. Why people hold stigmatized beliefs in the first place is still poorly understood, though.

ShareTweetShare
Tibi Puiu

Tibi Puiu

Tibi is a science journalist and co-founder of ZME Science. He writes mainly about emerging tech, physics, climate, and space. In his spare time, Tibi likes to make weird music on his computer and groom felines. He has a B.Sc in mechanical engineering and an M.Sc in renewable energy systems.

Related Posts

Economics

70% of the land in Britain is still owned by 1% of the population. Many descend from William the Conqueror’s army

byMihai Andrei
10 hours ago
Future

This 3D printed circuit board that dissolves in water could finally solve our E-waste problem

byMihai Andrei
11 hours ago
Climate

Climate Change Triggered European Revolutions That Changed the Course of History

byMihai Andrei
12 hours ago
Future

Inside Palantir: The Secretive Tech Company Helping the US Government Build a Massive Web of Surveillance

byNicole M. Bennett
23 hours ago

Recent news

70% of the land in Britain is still owned by 1% of the population. Many descend from William the Conqueror’s army

September 1, 2025

This 3D printed circuit board that dissolves in water could finally solve our E-waste problem

September 1, 2025

Climate Change Triggered European Revolutions That Changed the Course of History

September 1, 2025
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Editorial Policy
  • Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
  • How we review products
  • Contact

© 2007-2025 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Science News
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Space
  • Future
  • Features
    • Natural Sciences
    • Physics
      • Matter and Energy
      • Quantum Mechanics
      • Thermodynamics
    • Chemistry
      • Periodic Table
      • Applied Chemistry
      • Materials
      • Physical Chemistry
    • Biology
      • Anatomy
      • Biochemistry
      • Ecology
      • Genetics
      • Microbiology
      • Plants and Fungi
    • Geology and Paleontology
      • Planet Earth
      • Earth Dynamics
      • Rocks and Minerals
      • Volcanoes
      • Dinosaurs
      • Fossils
    • Animals
      • Mammals
      • Birds
      • Fish
      • Amphibians
      • Reptiles
      • Invertebrates
      • Pets
      • Conservation
      • Animal facts
    • Climate and Weather
      • Climate change
      • Weather and atmosphere
    • Health
      • Drugs
      • Diseases and Conditions
      • Human Body
      • Mind and Brain
      • Food and Nutrition
      • Wellness
    • History and Humanities
      • Anthropology
      • Archaeology
      • History
      • Economics
      • People
      • Sociology
    • Space & Astronomy
      • The Solar System
      • Sun
      • The Moon
      • Planets
      • Asteroids, meteors & comets
      • Astronomy
      • Astrophysics
      • Cosmology
      • Exoplanets & Alien Life
      • Spaceflight and Exploration
    • Technology
      • Computer Science & IT
      • Engineering
      • Inventions
      • Sustainability
      • Renewable Energy
      • Green Living
    • Culture
    • Resources
  • Videos
  • Reviews
  • About Us
    • About
    • The Team
    • Advertise
    • Contribute
    • Editorial policy
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact

© 2007-2025 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.