The mediating role of knowledge on the contact and stigma of mental illness in Hong Kong

Background: Although knowledge is a crucial component in contact theory delineating how prejudice changes toward out-groups with stigmatized conditions, little is known about the mediating role of knowledge on contact, stigmatizing attitudes, and behaviors toward mental illness. Aim: This study aime...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of social psychiatry 2021-11, Vol.67 (7), p.935-945
Main Authors: Fang, Qi, Zhang, Tian-Ming, Wong, Yin Ling Irene, Yau, Yuen Yum, Li, Xu-Hong, Li, Jie, Chui, Cheryl Hiu Kwan, Tse, Samson, Chan, Cecilia Lai-Wan, Chen, Eric Yu Hai, Ran, Mao-Sheng
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Attitudes
Behavior
Group identity
Health information
Hong Kong
Humans
Illnesses
Knowledge
Mental Disorders
Mental Health
Mental health care
Prejudice
Relatives
Social Stigma
Stigma
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Summary:Background: Although knowledge is a crucial component in contact theory delineating how prejudice changes toward out-groups with stigmatized conditions, little is known about the mediating role of knowledge on contact, stigmatizing attitudes, and behaviors toward mental illness. Aim: This study aimed to examine the mechanism underlie contact and stigma change by knowledge. Methods: A total of 366 participants including family members (FM), mental health providers (MHP), and community residents (CR) recruited across communities in Hong Kong and completed measures of contact level, contact quantity, contact quality, mental health related knowledge, prejudice, and discriminatory behaviors. Structural equation modeling was adopted to test the association among the key variables. Results: Higher level of contact was significantly correlated with better knowledge, less prejudice, and less discriminatory behaviors. Knowledge was directly and negatively correlated with prejudicial attitudes but was not significantly related to discriminatory behaviors. Furthermore, lower levels of prejudice were associated with less discriminatory behaviors. Conclusion: Enhancement of contact may increase understanding toward people with mental illness (PMI) and diminish stigmatizing attitudes and behaviors. Although prejudicial attitudes may be reduced by broadening mental health knowledge, increasing knowledge only might not ameliorate discriminatory behaviors. Future research should test mediators on contact and stigma by using longitudinal data.
ISSN:0020-7640
1741-2854
DOI:10.1177/0020764020975792