Desire for Social Distance from People with Mental Disorders

Abstract

The scientific literature on stigma has been confused because there are multiple components of stigma with different correlates. In order to make sense of this confusion, the present review focuses on research on the most commonly measured component: social distance. The review examines measurement of social distance; characteristics of people who desire greater social distance; experiences that affect social distance; characteristics of people that elicit social distance; the effects of psychiatric labelling; the effects of causal explanations for mental disorders; and interventions to reduce social distance. It is concluded that future research on social distance needs to focus on better evaluation of interventions and examine discriminatory and supportive behaviours in real life rather than in hypothetical situations.