Research suggests that empathy may reduce stigma, while adult attachment style may influence empathy. We examined stigma toward schizophrenia and other psychosocial or health concerns. We created vignettes describing a person displaying behavioral problems with different reasons offered for the behavior. Vignettes were followed by stigma items. Participants (N = 347) also completed empathy and adult attachment scales. The most stigma was found with a homelessness vignette, and the least with an Alzheimer's disease vignette. No significant differences in stigma were found between bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or “severe psychological disorder” vignettes. Hierarchical regression analysis indicated a significant main effect for empathy. Interaction terms for empathy and adult attachment did not explain a significant proportion of stigma variance. Results are discussed in terms of mainstream conceptions of these conditions.
Skip Nav Destination
Article navigation
1 January 2016
Research Article|
January 01 2016
The Role of Empathy and Adult Attachment in Predicting Stigma toward Severe and Persistent Mental Illness and other Psychosocial or Health Conditions
Marcia Webb;
Seattle Pacific University
Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Marcia Webb, Department of Psychology, Seattle Pacific University, Suite 107, 3307 Third Ave. West, Seattle, WA 98119. Email: marcia@spu.edu
Search for other works by this author on:
Laurel Stinar
Seattle Pacific University
Search for other works by this author on:
Journal of Mental Health Counseling (2016) 38 (1): 62–78.
Citation
Marcia Webb, Jessica Peterson, Stephanie C. Willis, Heather Rodney, Erin Siebert, Jessica A. Carlile, Laurel Stinar; The Role of Empathy and Adult Attachment in Predicting Stigma toward Severe and Persistent Mental Illness and other Psychosocial or Health Conditions. Journal of Mental Health Counseling 1 January 2016; 38 (1): 62–78. doi: https://doi.org/10.17744/mehc.38.1.05
Download citation file:
Sign in
Don't already have an account? Register
Client Account
You could not be signed in. Please check your email address / username and password and try again.
Sign in via your Institution
Sign in via your InstitutionGet Email Alerts
32
Views
0
Citations
Citing articles via
Counseling Clients With Postpartum Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Feminist-Trauma Approach
Anna James Krzemieniecki, Elizabeth A. Doughty Horn
Lived Experiences of Individuals Bereaved by the Suicide Death of a Sibling
Susan Abossein, Laura Santurri, Lisa Borrero, Lynn Shaw
Relations Among Attachment, Emotion Regulation, and Dysfunctional Breathing in Young Adults
Jamie E. Crockett, Craig S. Cashwell
Maladaptive Personality Features, Alexithymia, and Traumatic Events as Risk Factors for Patients With Cancer Diagnosis
Erika Maniscalco, Luana La Marca, Naida Faldetta, Francesco Fabbiano, Francesco Verderame, Adriano Schimmenti
Culturally Adapted Cognitive Behavioral Therapy as a Model to Address Internalized Racism Among African American Clients
Janeé M. Steele, Charmeka S. Newton