"Taking charge" of stigma: Treatment seeking alleviates mental illness stigma targeting men
This research provided a novel experimental test of mental illness stigma and reactions to treatment seeking decisions for male and female targets. In Experiment 1 (N 420) robust stigma emerged for targets exhibiting major depressive disorder; they were rated as less likeable, competent, and hirable than comparable normatively functioning targets. These results were unaffected by target gender. In Experiment 2 (N 322) moderated mediation analysis revealed that a depressed male target embodying masculine stereotypes by seeking professional treatment experienced less stigma than an identical male target who did not seek treatment (and respect mediated this difference) For female targets, treatment seeking did not impact respect or stigma. Implications for the gender gap in treatment seeking and relevant interventions are discussed.