Psychology Commons^™

Potential Interventions For Policy Support Targeting Justice Involved People With Mental Illness, Betel Alexis Hernandez

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Many people hold the misconception that people with mental illness are dangerous. Consequently, people with mental illness are often feared. This stigma is reinforced by the overrepresentation of people with mental illness in the criminal legal system. However, many people with mental illness struggle with the legal system due to ineffective policies making it difficult to adequately identify and treat this population within the legal system. The current studies aimed to understand public support of correctional policy aimed at people with mental illness, examine attitudinal factors that may be associated with this support, and test potential interventions for decreasing stigma …

The Disclosure Process Model And Formerly Justice Involved Juveniles: A Telephonic Audit Study, Morgan R. Wagner

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

In most cases, individuals with juvenile records are supposed to have that record sealed from public view upon meeting certain conditions, including turning 18. However, it is often unclear whether juvenile records (sealed or unsealed) should be disclosed on applications (e.g., job, college). This study used a phone call audit methodology to examine the hiring practices of Texas fast-food restaurants (n = 280) regarding juvenile records. Additionally, this study tested the Disclosure Process Model as a method of disclosing criminal records to prospective employers. Employers did not report differences in likelihood of considering an applicantsâ?? record between the gender of …

Examining The Effects Of Mental Health Barriers On Black Undergraduate Students Attending Predominantly White Institutions, Patrice N. Storey

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Black college students are experiencing mental health issues at an alarming rate. There is, however, a reluctance among Black college students to seek assistance. There is a stigma surrounding mental health. An individual with a mental illness is often stereotyped as weak, uncontrollable, or paralyzed by demons. Historical incidents such as slavery, the Tuskegee Experiment, Jim Crow, and the forced sterilization of Black women have led the Black community to distrust the medical system. The stigma embedded in the Black community is passed down from generation to generation. This literature review examines existing research on Black students and their perception …

Insanity Defense Attitudes: The Impact Of Biological Sex, Mental Illness, And Jury Instruction, Haley Moon, Brooke Mann

Psychology Faculty Publications

Approximately 20% of incarcerated individuals in jails and 15% of those in state prisons have been diagnosed with a serious mental illness, meaning that there are approximately 356,000 incarcerated persons with serious mental illness in jails and prisons alone (Torrey et al., 2014). Today, mental health stigma is widely prevalent amongst society and particularly there is a strong stigma associated with mental illness and criminality (Mossière & Maeder, 2015). Society typically perceives verdicts associated with insanity/mental illness as an alternative for not wanting to take responsibility for one’s actions and as a “loop-hole” to get out of serving time (Hans …

The Effects Of Mental Health Literacy And Perceived Social Support On Mental Health Stigma Across Racial And Ethnic Groups In The United States: A Survey-Based Analysis, Isabel R. Jordan, Dan Cooper, Jayxa Alonzo

Senior Theses

The goals of this study were to determine a) whether minoritized groups in the United States had lower levels of mental health literacy (MHL) and higher levels of stigma, b) whether people with higher rates of MHL and social support had lower rates of stigma and c) whether MHL and perceived social support were stronger predictors of stigma levels depending on racial group membership. I hypothesized that people with both high levels of MHL and high levels of social support would have lower levels of mental health stigma, minoritized groups would have lower levels of MHL and social support and …

Diagnosed By Dr. Hollywood: The Media’S On-Screen Depictions Of Mental Illness & Scripting The Public’S Perceptions, Grace Salloum

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

In this study, the primary goal is to observe how media portrayals of mental illnesses can influence society’s perceptions of mental illness, notably when an individual’s knowledge largely hinges on these portrayals. Stigmas shape the attitudes of others towards individuals with mental illnesses. Stigmas refer to the devaluing of attributes rejected by society, and are characterized by status loss, stereotyping, and discrimination. They are sustained through framing effects and attribution. Framing is often used in the media’s presentation of mental health to sensationalize the experience or to generate alarm toward the afflicted. This study includes an analysis of movies and …

The Lived Experience Of Residential Undergraduates From Minority Ethnic Backgrounds Diagnosed With A Mental Health Condition, Cheryl Gowdie

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Research has demonstrated that mental health illnesses have increased, particularly among college students. Although there is a general understanding of the implications of this trend, there remains a lack of evidence on the impact of mental health diagnoses on residential undergraduate minority ethnic students. This qualitative phenomenological study aims to gain insight into the lived experiences of 10 residential undergraduate minority students aged 18 to 36 diagnosed with one or more mental health disorders. The goal is to understand their personal experiences, including any stigma they may have encountered. Through comprehensive interviews, the study explored their lived experiences. The findings …

The Reported Experience And Stigma Of Mental Health Among African American Clergy, Valentina Stubbs

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The utilization of mental health treatment in the Black community has been diminished in comparison to other ethnic groups (Avent, Cashwell, & Brown-Jeffy, 2015). Members of the Black Church may have been socialized to seek help from their spiritual leader as opposed to mental health professionals. A transcendental phenomenological qualitative study (Moustakas, 1994) was used to gain an understanding of how twelve (5 male and 7 female) Black clergy experience mental health and the stigma relating to mental health. The participants completed a survey and a semi-structured interview with the researcher and described their experience with mental health issues personally …

Breaking Down Bias: A Comparative Analysis Of General Public And Police Officer Attitudes Toward Mental Illness And Officer Decision-Making In Mental Health Crises, Therese L. Todd

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Police responses to persons with mental illness (PMIs) compared to those without appear to be more likely to result in negative outcomes, underscoring the importance of understanding these interactions and the factors that may influence them. Relatively little research has examined officer attitudes toward mental illness, and no study has examined implicit bias toward mental illness among police officers or how police culture may impact outcomes in mental health crises. The present study sought to: 1) measure explicit and implicit bias toward PMIs among the general public and police officers to understand how these constructs may vary among these populations; …

Invisible Disability: A Review Of Hearing And Vision Impairment Challenges In The Workplace, Melissa Ann Aguinaldo

College of Science and Health Theses and Dissertations

This thesis explores the factors related to individuals with vision and hearing impairments in organizational contexts within the United States. It overviews the definitions, current state, and U.S. legislation pertaining to individuals with disabilities in the workplace. The thesis reviews disclosure practices, psychological theories, and recommendations for supporting and accommodating individuals with hearing and vision disabilities. In reviewing these factors, this research aims to enhance understanding of the challenges faced by individuals with hearing and vision impairments in organizations and contribute to fostering inclusive and supportive work environments. The thesis also identifies areas for further research in order to advance …

Understanding Associations Between Chronic Illness Identity, Psychological Flexibility, And Type 2 Diabetes Emotional, Behavioral, And Psychosocial Functioning., Valery Bodziony

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Illness identity, defined as the extent to which one integrates their illness into their sense of self, may be a key psychological factor to consider in overall adjustment to and management of Type 2 Diabetes. Emerging research suggests illness identity integration is associated with aspects of diabetes-specific functioning. Psychological flexibility has also been found to be associated with positive diabetes-specific functioning. This modifiable cognitive factor may play a role in the relationship between illness identity and diabetes-specific functioning. This study aims to examine associations between illness identity enrichment, illness identity rejection, psychological flexibility, and aspects of diabetes-functioning, including self-management …

Initial Understanding Of Public Stigma Against Childhood Cancer Survivors, Nele Loecher

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

As childhood cancer survival rates climb to new records, it is increasingly important to focus on improving the psychological wellbeing of survivors living years beyond their diagnosis. One potential contributor to psychological distress for childhood cancer survivors (CCSs) is stigma. The fear of stigma can lead to CCSs concealing their identity as a CCS, which in turn can strain workplace and intimate relationships, creating a strain on CCSs’ social and work life. Additionally, the internalization of negative stereotypes or rejection of falsely positive stereotypes around cancer can exacerbate psychological distress. To establish what stereotypes and stigma CCS might be contending …

Stigma As A Treatment Barrier In Trauma Exposed College Students, Lydia Sigurdson

Dissertations

Exposure to a traumatic event puts an individual at risk for subsequent psychological distress. Though trauma exposure is common in undergraduate students, college mental health services remain severely underutilized. One reason may be stigma associated with mental illness. The current study investigated the role of stigma on treatment seeking behaviors in trauma-exposed college students. Qualifying participants were randomly assigned to one of two stigma conditions. One week following measure completion, participants received an email offering a free, brief, self-guided intervention described with a stigmatizing label (“trauma symptoms”) in one condition, and as a broad problem (“stress”) in the other. It …

Experienced And Anticipated Stigma Among People With Mental Illness When Interacting With Healthcare Workers, Shaindel Feuer

Student Theses

Research has found that most people have negative attitudes towards those with mental illnesses,

and the resulting stigma and discrimination can be dangerous. Unfortunately, mental health stigma and discrimination are also seen in healthcare providers, with potentially fatal consequences, given that people with mental illnesses have shorter lifespans and are more likely to become ill than members of the general population. This study explored anticipatory and experienced mental health stigma from the patient’s perspective in a sample of 275 people with self-reported mental illness recruited from the online panel Prolific. Between 30.3% (Everyday Discrimination Scale) and 44.1% (Stigma Scale) of …

Impact Of Covid-19 On Latinx And Black Communities, Carolina Zuluaga

Dissertations

This critical literature review project explored the impact of COVID-19 on Latinx and Black communities. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as of September 28, 2022, around 16% of COVID-19 cases in the United States were among Latinx people, and 14% of cases were among Black people (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2022). Since COVID-19 began, clinicians have become more conscious of the effects of health disparities within racial and ethnic minorities, which has warranted increased advocacy by educating health and mental health providers and creating and providing resources to these communities and clinicians. The review …

Promoting Mental Treatment In The Arab World, Aya Emam Hassanein

Masters Theses

This study investigates why mental health has been neglected in the Arab world and what strategies could be used to promote it and break the stigma associated with mental disorders. The literature review reveals that the most prominent barriers preventing mental treatment in the Arab world are cultural stigma, poverty, illiteracy, false beliefs regarding the causation of the illness, conflicts in countries, and a scarcity of mental health services and research. The review also discusses the most common mental illnesses in the Arab world and how the culture affects the process of treatment. Additionally, it discusses the possible solutions proposed …

Breaking The Cycle Of Stigma: The Role Of Majority Group Stigmatization In Contributing To Internalized Stigma Among Racial Minorities, Camryn Harris

Honors Theses

This study investigates whether individuals hold more stigma against minority group members with mental health issues based on race. Individuals are more susceptible to the negligence of treatment and further assistance due to increased stigmatization associated with mental health. Internalized stigma is more prominent within marginalized communities due to various co-existing factors such as socioeconomic status, inadequate resources, aversive health experiences, and low education levels infiltrated by systemic discrimination and structural inequality. In addition, minority group members are also more at risk for mental health disorders due to these factors. Past research has shown that stigmatization against individuals with mental …

Attitudes Towards Mental Health, Spiritual Seeking, And Well-Being, David Mitchell

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Religion plays a crucial role in many peoples’ lives, shaping the way they interact with the world and react to stressors. The Relational Spirituality Model (Sandage & Shults, 2007) posits that individuals’ relationship with God resembles humans’ relationships with one another. That is, relationships consist of intimacy and closeness as well as independence and time away from each other, otherwise known as dwelling and seeking. Previous literature has analyzed the relationship between spiritual coping and well-being, yet none have analyzed the relationship between spiritual seeking and overall well-being using attitudes towards mental health as a moderator. Participants were 84 undergraduate …

A Quantitative Examination Of The Relationship Between Workplace Environment, Religion, And The Stigma Of Mental Health On Openness To Mental Health Services, Cooper Ann Hove

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Individuals within the workplace experience stressors that can negatively impact their health long term if not effectively managed. The level of stress within the workplace environment, religious beliefs, and mental health stigma may affect employees differently in their openness to receive mental health services. Research lacks data to understand the gap between employees struggling with mental health and unused, available resources in organizations. Most current research focuses on implementing mental health interventions, with the highest number of studies focusing on police officers' and nurses' experiences. This study was a quantitative, correlational study to gather participants with prior work experience of …

Beliefs About Mental Illness, Mental Health Treatment, And Anticipated Social Stigma: A Proposed Study Of Air Force Rotc Cadets, Gabrielle N. Limes

Honors Projects

The growing prevalence of mental illness within the United States Armed Forces has become a relevant topic of concern for researchers. Considering the negative attitudes that are often ascribed to those struggling with mental illness, understanding the stigmatized beliefs of those in the military is of specific interest, especially since current mental health services are reported to be ineffective. While research has investigated this issue within enlisted military populations, there is currently no research concerning military leadership positions and their subgroups such as the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC). With research suggesting leadership plays a significant role in the perpetuation …

Tattoos And Healing: Considerations From An Art Therapy Lens, Marielle Carpentier

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

Tattooing in North America is becoming more common as negative stigmas change and the types of tattoos available are as diverse as the people getting them. One interesting new motivation guiding individuals to get tattooed is a potential healing or therapeutic benefit. The field of art therapy explores how art can facilitate healing and the therapeutic process. Because of the emerging literature exploring these new tattoo motivations and the need for art therapists to continually expand their understanding of art and its many applications it would be beneficial for art therapists to understand this emerging practice. The literature in this …

Impacts Of Stigma On Female Service Members, Alisha Weatherly-Kershaw

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

There are a variety of factors that prevent people from seeking mental health treatment. The stigma associated with mental health disorders or seeking treatment is a primary deterrent. This stigma is particularly impactful within the armed forces when they are assessed for fitness for duty. Because most research examines stigma’s impact on male military members, this study aims to identify the type of stigma that creates the most significant barrier to female service members seeking mental health treatment. Results indicate that stigmatizing perceptions of service members significantly impact female service members holding negative views towards seeking treatment.

Toxic Positivity And Perceptions Of Mental Health, Madeline E. Feltner

Senior Theses

My thesis concerns how toxic positivity, especially the type we commonly see on social media, can affect perceptions and stigma around mental health issues on college campuses. Toxic positivity is the belief that a person should always maintain a positive mindset, no matter what situation they are in, and invalidates negative emotions. Previous research shows that toxic positivity can have a negative effect on mental health, but in this thesis, I study how toxic positivity affects perceptions about others with mental health issues, willingness to interact with those with mental health issues, and self-perception. It is important to research this …

The Perception Of Stigma As A Barrier To Help-Seeking Among Immigrant Populations, Zuha Qadeer

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

Immigrants receive mental health services less than their U.S.-born counterparts, even after accounting for the lower rate of mental health difficulties often found among these populations. Stigma is one such barrier that is significant in reducing mental health service utilization among immigrant populations. This study explores how immigrants perceive stigma as a barrier to seeking help for trauma-related mental health concerns. Using qualitative data from a study on an adaptation of Written Exposure Therapy in Latinx immigrants (Andrews et. al, 2022), I examined the role of stigma in participants’ perceived barriers to care and their proposed strategies for reducing them. …

Project Avatar: Utilizing The Power Of Social-Media To Share Stories Of Hope, Elizabeth Cremins

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

Addiction affects everyone and the stigma around addiction and its’ recovery makes it exponentially harder for individuals to heal. Today, adolescents are exposed to drugs, alcohol, and related substances from younger ages than ever before and the age of first consumption of these substances is continually decreasing. Further, social media makes it easier than ever for these young people to see substance-related content. Most teens and young adults today check their social media daily—if not hourly. Due to the young age of first exposure to substances coupled with the near-constant exposure that social media provides, addiction is an ever-present problem …

Do Semantics Matter In Empathetic Person Perception Of Children Or Adults With Mental Illness?, Rylie Hansen, Caroline Polak, Emma Gries, Stevie Ostman, Gina A. Paganini, E. Paige Lloyd

DU Undergraduate Research Journal Archive

Experiences of stigma, discrimination, or aggression negatively affect the well-being of people experiencing symptoms of psychopathology. However, empathy is thought to undermine prejudice and discrimination and is linked with positive outcomes (e.g., greater well-being, more social support, etc.) among those with stigmatized mental illnesses. The current work investigates the influence of target age (adult or child) and language type (person-first or identity-first) on how much empathic concern perceivers report toward individuals with a hypothetical mental health condition. This research contributes to an ongoing debate about whether person-first or identity-first language carries stigmatizing or protective effects, while also considering a novel …

The Effect Of Language Type And Perceived Controllability On Stigma And Compassion, Maddie Leake, Christine Mcgrath, Trudy Mickel, Claire Shaver, Gina A. Paganini, E. Paige Lloyd

DU Undergraduate Research Journal Archive

Previous research suggests that mental health stigma creates significant barriers to treatment seeking and adherence, diminishes treatment outcomes, and motivates social rejection towards people experiencing mental illness; by contrast, compassion seems to offer protective effects, improving treatment outcomes and helping behavior. The current work extends the established literature by experimentally examining the independent and interactive effects of two factors theorized to influence stigma and compassion: controllability and language. Participants read vignettes about hypothetical mental illnesses explained with a genetic attribution (indicating low controllability) or a behavioral attribution (indicating high controllability) and completed measures of perceived controllability, stigma, and compassion. We …

Shame, Stigma, And Callousness: A Moderated Mediation Study Of Sex Offender Empathy Strength, Robert M. Ferow

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Callous, lacking sympathy, heartless, and cold are but a few synonyms for people that demonstrate a deficit in empathy. Psychologists, criminologists, and sociologists have tried to explain this phenomenon of callousness, or lack of empathy found in criminals for hundreds of years. Issues of definitions of empathy, personality disorders, character flaws, and even neurobiological issues have been studied in their relation to empathy. Theories of criminology have been presented to explain the reasons for lack of empathy. However, as of yet, no conclusive findings demonstrate the order or function in loss of empathy strength. This study will endeavor to describe …

Skin Stories And Family Feelings: The Contradictions Of Skin Picking In Mother And Daughter, Katrina Jacinto

Crossings: Swarthmore Undergraduate Feminist Research Journal

Skin picking, otherwise known as dermatillomania, is considered to be a medical disorder by the DSM-5. However, the embodied experiences of skin picking in myself and my mother do not align with the neat definitions offered by psychiatry. Through autoethnographic material and an ethnographic interview with my mother, I argue that skin picking is a bodily technique that is pathologized through stigma. In particular, I suggest that skin picking reveals the body as a polyvalent entity, in which the same features and practices take on different meanings in different bodies. This frames the discrepancies between mine, and my mother's, experiences. …

Exploring The Moderating Role Of Psychological Flexibility On The Relationship Between Structural Barriers, Attitudinal Barriers, And Stigma On Mental Health Treatment-Seeking, Hannah Elyse Hays

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

College students face a multitude of stressors that have been found to significantly impact mental health, including symptoms of depression, anxiety, and substance use problems (Hubbard et al., 2018; American College Health Association 2022a; American College Health Association 2022b). Despite a rising concern regarding mental health, over 70% of college students denied seeking mental health treatment in the past year (American College Health Association, 2022b). Psychological flexibility could be an area of intervention because it has been found to be negatively associated with psychological distress and positively associated with mental health service seeking (Christodoulou et al., 2021; Komiya et al., …