Stigma and Discrimination in Personality Disorders: Perspectives of Those With Lived Experience and Providers

ABSTRACT Stigma and discrimination towards those with a mental disorder are prevalent. This is especially true of those with a personality disorder (PD). The current study explores the extent to which individuals living with a PD experience internalized stigma and discrimination due to their diagnos...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Personality and mental health Vol. 19; no. 2; pp. e70024 - n/a
Main Authors: Dennis, Shakur J., Folger, Logan F., Hein, Katherine E., Mullins‐Sweatt, Stephanie N.
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: England Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.05.2025
Subjects:
Adult
Alienation
Attitude of Health Personnel
Attitudes
Discrimination
Disorders
Email
Endorsements
Female
Health behavior
Health Personnel - psychology
Humans
Internalization
lived experience
Mailing lists
Male
Medical diagnosis
Mental disorders
Mental health
Microaggressions
Middle Aged
Patronizing
Personality
Personality disorders
Personality Disorders - psychology
personality pathology
Resistance
Social Discrimination
Social media
Social Stigma
Stereotypes
Stigma
Young Adult
personality pathology
stigma
lived experience
ISSN:1932-8621, 1932-863X, 1932-863X
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:ABSTRACT Stigma and discrimination towards those with a mental disorder are prevalent. This is especially true of those with a personality disorder (PD). The current study explores the extent to which individuals living with a PD experience internalized stigma and discrimination due to their diagnosis as well as the prevalence of self‐reported microaggressions and negative attitudes towards individuals with PDs by mental health providers. Individuals with personality disorders (n = 218; Sample 1) and mental health providers (n = 75; Sample 2) were recruited online via postings on social media, online forums, and email listservs. Individuals with PDs endorsed several factors of internalized stigma including alienation, social withdrawal, stereotype endorsement, stigma resistance, and reported significant discriminatory experiences. Results also showed that provider attitudes towards those with PDs are mixed but they largely rejected microaggressions, apart from negative reactions, and appeared aware of the negative consequences of mental health stigma. However, providers may appear patronizing when providing unwanted advice to those with a mental illness. By gaining a better understanding of the experiences of individuals living with a PD and those who treat them, we can more effectively counter harmful stigmatization and discrimination.
Bibliography:This study was supported by the National Institutes of Health (T32 GM140953).
Funding
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ISSN:1932-8621
1932-863X
1932-863X
DOI:10.1002/pmh.70024