The Picture of Mental Health/Illness in the Printed Media in Three Central European Countries

Abstract

Even in the era of the Internet, printed media are still among the most frequently identified sources of mental health information. Many studies have shown that this information is frequently negative and contributes to stigmatization of people with mental illness. This international comparative study describes the content of media messages about mental health/illness in terms of stigma in three Central European countries. The study sample comprised all articles pertaining to the topic of mental health/illness (N = 450) identified during five week-long periods in 2007 chosen from the six most widely read newspapers and magazines in each country. The authors used content analysis methods to achieve quantitative and qualitative objectives. More than half of all articles contained negative statements reflecting stigma toward persons with mental illness. Substance abuse disorders are the most frequent mental conditions covered in all three countries (22%), and psychotic disorders are the most stigmatized. Countries significantly differ in length of articles, in the association of aggressive behavior with persons with mental illness, and in the use of a sensationalized style of writing. Coverage of mental health/illness issues differs to some extent across countries but is generally of poor quality. On the basis of the authors' findings, practical recommendations for journalists can be tailored specifically for each country.

Acknowledgments

The authors thank their senior advisors, Professor Howard Goldman and Professor Stephen Hinshaw, for their unwavering support. This project was prepared as a part of the Finance and Mental Health Services Training in Czech Republic/Central Europe, sponsored by the U.S. National Institutes of Health John E. Fogarty International Center (5 D43 TW005810-07) and with support of the grant titled “The Development of a Coding System for Social-Psychological Quantitative Content Analysis of Media Messages and the Possibilities of Combination with Qualitative Methods” GAČR 406/07/0541.

Notes

Note. F00.0–F09.9 refer to organic mental disorders (dementia); F10.0–F19.9 refer to mental and behavioral disorders as a result of psychoactive substance use; F20.0–F29.9 refer to schizophrenia, schizotypal, and delusional disorders; F30.0–F39.9 refer to mood (affective) disorders; F40.0–F49.9 refer to neurotic, stress-related, and somatoform disorders; and F50.0–F50.9 refer to eating disorders.

The percentages add up to 100 across the rows. F00.0–F09.9 refer to organic mental disorders (dementia); F10.0–F19.9 refer to mental and behavioral disorders as a result of psychoactive substance use; F20.0–F29.9 refer to schizophrenia, schizotypal, and delusional disorders; F30.0–F39.9 refer to mood (affective) disorders; F40.0–F49.9 refer to neurotic, stress-related, and somatoform disorders; and F50.0–F50.9 refer to eating disorders.

*Global impression of the article: χ²(6) = 15,236, p = .018.

**Global impression of the headline: χ²(4) = 18.483, p = .001.

Note. MI = mental illness; PTSD = posttraumatic stress disorder; NGOs = nongovernmental organizations.