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Mental illness stigma among first responders and the general population
Crowe, A., Glass, J. S., Lancaster, M., Raines, J., & Waggy, M. (2015). Mental illness stigma among first responders and the general population. Journal of Military and Government Counseling, 3(3), 132-149. http://mgcaonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/JMGC-Vol-3-Is-3.pdf
Researchers examined mental illness stigma in first responders and the general population using focus group interviews. Categories of stigma were coded a priori using Stemler’s (2001) content analysis. Frequently occurring categories of stigma for first responders were discrimination, disbelief, loss of status, and shame. The general population endorsed stigma categories such as disbelief, discrimination, shame, and dangerousness. Loss of status was of particular concern for first responders, suggesting that stigma might impact first responders differently from the general population, due in part to the unique characteristics of their profession. Blame was a category unique to the general population while discrimination, disbelief, and shame were coded in both groups. Implications for mental health professionals and future directions for research are offered.
