The Association between Personality and Individual Differences and Stigma toward People with Mental Disorders

Although research examining the stigma of mental disorders is burgeoning, there has been little research exploring the personality and individual differences that may be associated with mental disorders stigma. The current study examined the relation between stigma toward mental disorders and social-psychological individual difference variables (intergroup anxiety, empathic concern, perspective taking, and modern prejudice toward people with mental disorders). As well, the Big Five and Honesty-Humility personality traits were examined at factor- and facet-levels to replicate and extend previous research that has examined their relations with stigma. The social-psychological individual difference variables were significantly correlated with mental disorders stigma. More interestingly, regression models indicated that intergroup anxiety, empathic concern, and modern prejudice accounted for more variance in the prediction of stigma than Big Five factors and facets. Additionally, results indicate the utility of examining factor- and facet levels, rather than only the factor level. These results highlight the need to further examine individual characteristics and personality in stigma research. To conclude, the current findings are discussed in the context of interventions aimed at reducing the stigma of mental disorders.