Understanding Stigmatizing Attitudes: The Effect of Race and Treatment Type on Depression Stigma

Abstract

Individuals who suffer from depression face detrimental stigmas that further affect their well-being. Studies have shown that similar stigmas also prevent many depressed individuals from seeking treatment, compromising their potential for receiving the help that they need to recover from their illness. Research on how different types of depression treatment affect depression stigma, as well as how racial distinctions affect depression stigma, is very limited but necessary for understanding how to reduce the stigma. This studied attempted to fill some of the literature and research gaps regarding the effect of treatment type and race on depression stigma. We found that Caucasian individuals are significantly more likely than African American or other race individuals to direct stigma towards a depressed individual. Unfortunately, less stigma is associated with remaining untreated for depression than receiving psychotherapy or antidepressant drug therapy. Certain interaction effects between race and treatment type were also observed.