Stigmatization of posttraumatic stress disorder is altered by PTSD Knowledge and the precipitating trauma of the sufferer

Abstract

Background

Reducing stigma could improve well-being and decrease discrimination toward persons with mental illness.

Aim

The current study investigated the impact of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) knowledge and the characteristics of a person suffering from PTSD symptoms on stigmatization.

Method

University students (n = 560) read one of twelve vignettes describing someone with PTSD symptoms who varied by gender, military status, and precipitating trauma. Then, participants rated their own responses to the person in the vignette (i.e. personal stigma), their perception of how others would respond (i.e. perceived stigma), and their comfort with the person in different social settings (i.e. social distance) followed by a PTSD Knowledge Questionnaire.

Results

PTSD knowledge was associated with decreased personal stigma and increased willingness to socialize with individuals in the vignettes. The precipitating trauma of the person in the vignette influenced perceived stigma ratings, lowering perceived stigma for those who had experienced a rape as opposed to a car accident. Neither the gender nor military status of the person in the vignette affected stigmatization.

Conclusions

The current findings underscore the importance of mental health education in reducing stigma and indicate that the type of precipitating trauma affects attitudes toward those with PTSD symptoms.

Keywords:

• PTSD
• stigma
• social distance
• knowledge
• precipitating trauma

Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to Kylie J. McKenzie and David I. Smith for permission to use their PTSD Knowledge Questionnaire.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

Data availability statement

The dataset generated during and analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.