Investigating the impact of causal attributions on anorexia nervosa stigma in Ireland

Abstract

Abstract Background Stigmatisation of eating disorders can have debilitating consequences for sufferers, such as reduced help-seeking and physical and mental deterioration. Dispositional attribution of blame appears to be central to this stigmatisation. However, it remains unclear as to whether precise aspects of blame, such as control over and responsibility for the disorder, specifically contribute to these negative dispositional attributions. So, the current study sought to explore casual attribution patterns towards individuals with AN among the Irish adult public and investigate the associated impact of these attributions on stigmatising attitudes towards AN sufferers. Methods One-hundred and forty-seven participants (M = 36.63 years; SD = 14.46; 119 female) completed an online survey where they were initially randomly assigned to read either a blameworthy (n = 62) or unblameworthy (n = 85) vignette describing a fictional character with AN. Following this, participants completed two self-report inventories (Causal Attribution Scale and Eating Disorder Stigma Scale) measuring their causal attributions and stigma levels regarding the character. Mann-Whitney U tests and linear regression were completed to evaluate attitudinal differences across groups. Results Participants in the blameworthy condition significantly attributed more control over their illness to the AN character and held greater mean levels of stigma than participants in the unblameworthy condition. No significant differences were found between conditions for attributions of responsibility and blame. Finally, total causal attribution scores significantly predicted total stigma scores. Conclusion The findings indicate that stigma towards those with AN can result from negative attitudes where AN sufferers are viewed as being in control of their condition. Erroneous attribution of dispositional control can influence interpretations of the cause of AN and trigger inappropriate behavioural responses such as stigmatisation, which can have serious consequences for help-seeking in those with AN. Responsibility-based and broader blame-based dispositional attributions less influence stigmatisation.