Public conceptions of mental illness: Labels, causes, dangerousness, and social distance

Objectives. The authors used nationwide sun ev data to characterize current public conceptions related to recognition of mental illness and perceived causes, dangerousness. and desired social distance. Methods. Data were derived from a vignette experiment included in the 1996 General Social Sun ey. Respondents(n = 1444) were randomly assigned to 1 of 5 vignette conditions. Four vignettes described psychiatric disorders meet ing diagnostic criteria, and the fifth depicted a "troubled person'' with s ubclinical problems and worries. Results. Results indicate that the majority of the public identifies schizo phrenia (88%) and major depression (69%) as mental illnesses and that most report multicausal explanations combining stressful circumstances with biol ogic and genetic factors. Results also show, however, that smaller proporti ons associate alcohol (49%) or drug (44%) abuse with mental illness and tha t symptoms of mental illness remain strongly connected with public fears ab out potential violence and with a desire for limited social interaction. Conclusions. While there is reason for optimism in the public's recognition of mental illness and causal attributions. a strong stereotype of dangerou sness and desire for social distance persist. These latter conceptions are likely to negatively affect people with mental illness.