Once Upon a Stigma: A Preliminary Study Across Generations

Description

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.21351947

Aakansha Gogoi and Vandana Naradala (Department of Psychology, Sophia College for Women (Empowered Autonomous), Mumbai, Maharashtra)

Mental illness is a growing concern for public health, which impacts individuals across all age groups. Today, stigma remains a significant barrier to social life. It encompasses negative stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination, and can operate at personal, social, and structural levels. In the Indian context, it is observed to be different for different age groups. Young adults, particularly college students, are commonly exposed to discourse about mental health with peers and often may experience fear of being judged or social rejection. Older adults, by contrast, may hold culturally shaped beliefs that trivialize such concerns as part of the aging process. This preliminary study takes a lifespan perspective to assess stigma around mental illness among 119 young adults (16-17 years) and 55 older adults (70 years & above). With the help of a self-constructed stigma scale, the study explores trends of personal and perceived stigma, common stereotypes, general attitudes towards individuals with mental illness, and willingness to associate with them. The results show a statistically significant difference in attitudes toward mental illness, with the young adults displaying more stigma than older adults.