Belief in the dangerousness of people with mental disorders: a review. 2012

Anthony F Jorm, and Nicola J Reavley, and Anna M Ross
Orygen Youth Health Research Centre, Centre for Youth Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia. ajorm@unimelb.edu.au

BACKGROUND The scientific literature on stigma has been confused because there are multiple components of stigma with different correlates. In order to help make sense of this confusion, the present review focuses on research on one of the most commonly measured components - belief in dangerousness. RESULTS The review examines: measurement of belief in dangerousness; prevalence of belief in dangerousness; characteristics of people who believe in dangerousness; experiences associated with belief in dangerousness; characteristics of people that elicit belief in dangerousness; the effects of psychiatric labelling; the effects of causal explanations; interventions to reduce belief in dangerousness; and effects on help-seeking. CONCLUSIONS It is concluded that future research needs to focus on rigorous evaluation of interventions to reduce belief in dangerousness and the impact of this belief on people affected by mental disorders.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D011639 Public Opinion The attitude of a significant portion of a population toward any given proposition, based upon a measurable amount of factual evidence, and involving some degree of reflection, analysis, and reasoning. Interest Groups,Pro-Choice Groups,Public Opinion Polls,Group, Interest,Group, Pro-Choice,Groups, Interest,Groups, Pro-Choice,Interest Group,Opinion Poll, Public,Opinion Polls, Public,Opinion, Public,Poll, Public Opinion,Polls, Public Opinion,Pro Choice Groups,Pro-Choice Group,Public Opinion Poll
D003617 Dangerous Behavior Actions which have a high risk of being harmful or injurious to oneself or others. Behavior, Dangerous,Dangerousness,Hazardous Behavior,Behavior, Hazardous,Behaviors, Hazardous,Dangerous Behaviors,Hazardous Behaviors
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D001290 Attitude An enduring, learned predisposition to behave in a consistent way toward a given class of objects, or a persistent mental and/or neural state of readiness to react to a certain class of objects, not as they are but as they are conceived to be. Sentiment,Attitudes,Opinions,Opinion,Sentiments
D013240 Stereotyping An oversimplified perception or conception especially of persons, social groups, etc. Stigmatization
D014754 Violence Use of physical force causing or intent to cause harm, injury or abuse. Assaultive Behavior,Atrocities,Behavior, Assaultive,Interpersonal Violence,Physical Assault,Physical Attacks,Structural Violence,Violent Crime,Assault, Physical,Attack, Physical,Attacks, Physical,Crime, Violent,Interpersonal Violences,Physical Assaults,Physical Attack,Violence, Interpersonal,Violence, Structural,Violent Crimes
D057545 Social Stigma A perceived attribute that is deeply discrediting and is considered to be a violation of social norms. Stigma, Social,Social Stigmas,Stigmas, Social
D028642 Mentally Ill Persons Persons with psychiatric illnesses or diseases, particularly psychotic and severe mood disorders. Mental Patients,Mentally Ill,Ill, Mentally,Mentally Ill Person,Person, Mentally Ill,Persons, Mentally Ill

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