Comparison of the Effects of a Genetic, a Mild Encephalitis, and a Psychosocial Causal Explanation of Schizophrenia on Stigmatizing Attitudes - a Pilot Study With a Quasi-Experimental Design.

ABSTRACT: Background: Previous research has shown that the endorsement of biogenetic causal explanations of schizophrenia is associated with stronger stigmatizing attitudes against people with schizophrenia than the endorsement of psychosocial explanations. However, little is known about whether different biogenetic causal explanation beliefs differentially affect stigmatizing attitudes. This is particularly valid for the endorsement of the mild encephalitis hypothesis of schizophrenia. Aim: To examine to what extent different causal explanations of schizophrenia influence the desire for social distance from persons with schizophrenia. Methods: A study with a prospective, quasi-experimental design was carried out with students in Germany (N = 333). A case vignette depicti

SUBMITTER: Haouchet S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8489806 | biostudies-literature | 2021

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature