Perceived Devaluation-Discrimination Scale – Chinese Version

Description

Stigma refers to negative labels that people attach to individuals, perceiving them as having certain moral or behavioral deficiencies, thereby degrading, excluding, and avoiding them. Mental illness stigma is a specific type of stigma, indicating society’s depreciation and rejection of individuals with mental health conditions, significantly impacting their willingness to seek help (Corrigan, 2004). Stigma has multiple dimensions. Corrigan (1999) identifies two independent forms of stigma: public stigma and self-stigma. Public stigma refers to the social exclusion held by others toward the stigmatized, while self-stigma refers to the perception held by the stigmatized individuals themselves regarding their exclusion from social groups. This perception can lead to a decrease in self-esteem or self-worth, obstructing the pursuit of mental health assistance. Stigma is generally composed of three components: stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination. Public stigma is distinct from self-stigma in that public stigma primarily involves negative stereotypes targeting specific social groups, leading to prejudice and negative emotional experiences, which subsequently manifest in avoidance and discriminatory behaviors. Conversely, self-stigma involves prejudices directed at oneself, resulting in reluctance to seek professional help and feelings of shame. The stigma experienced by individuals can negatively affect various aspects, including cognition, emotion, personality, and social functioning. Research substantiates that public stigma adversely influences the lives of those stigmatized, reducing their opportunities for survival and leading to discrimination in employment, housing, marital relations, and interpersonal interactions. Public stigma not only dissuades individuals from seeking professional psychological help but also subjects their family and friends to secondary stigma. A study by Phelan et al. revealed that 25% of individuals experienced social distancing due to their association with someone with a mental illness. When the stigmatized internalize public stigma, it can lead to self-stigma, negatively impacting self-awareness and often resulting in avoidance behaviors, including concealment and secrecy. Corrigan et al. found that a higher level of self-stigma is associated with greater negative feelings of frustration, shame, and loss of face. Indicators of low self-esteem and low self-efficacy are the most prominent expressions of this issue. Quiroga found that negative coping strategies resulting from self-stigma adversely affect social functioning and social support systems. Additionally, cultural influences, such as a desire to maintain face, protect reputation, and avoid public exposure of family issues, can impede help-seeking behaviors.

Authors and Contact Email

Information not available.

Purpose

To measure the level of public stigma toward mental illness among college students and its impact on their willingness to seek help.

Test Year

Information not available.

Administration Method and Scoring

The Perceived Devaluation-Discrimination Scale (PDDS), consisting of 12 items with a 4-point scoring system, was adapted from Link’s Devaluation-Discrimination Scale by Zuo Bin and Ai Chuan Guo. Higher total scores indicate stronger public stigma towards mental illness.

Reliability and Validity

The internal consistency reliability coefficients range from 0.76 to 0.88 (Link, Cullen, & Struening, 1989; Link, Struening, & Asmussen, 2001), and the scale demonstrates good structural validity and predictive validity.

Factors and Subscales

Information not available.

Keywords

Mental illness, Stigma, Public stigma, Self-stigma, Help-seeking behavior

Items in Chinese

1. 大多数人愿意把之前得过心理疾病的人当成密友
2. 大多数人认为在精神病院里的精神病患者和一般人一样聪明
3. 大多数人认为之前患过心理疾病的人和普通公民一样值得信任
4. 大多数人可以接受一个之前是精神病患者，但现在已经完全康复的人当一所公立学校的老师
5. 大多数人都认为住进精神病院是一个人失败的表现
6. 大多数人不会聘请之前有心理疾病的人来照顾自己的孩子，即使他/她已经康复很长一段时间了
7. 大多数人认为住过精神病院的人身份低
8. 如果一个之前得了心理疾病的人确实适合这份工作的话，大多数雇主会聘请他/她
9. 相比于聘用一个曾患心理疾病的人，大多数雇主会聘用另一个应聘者
10. 我周围的大多数人对待患心理疾病的人就像对待其他人一样
11. 大多数年轻人都不愿意和曾因严重的精神疾病住院的人约会
12. 当人们得知一个人曾住过精神病院时，大多数人就不会重视他/她的意见

Items in English

1. Most people would be willing to take someone who has previously suffered from a mental illness as a friend.
2. Most people think that patients in a mental hospital are just as intelligent as anyone else.
3. Most people believe that those who have previously had mental illness are as trustworthy as regular citizens.
4. Most people can accept someone who was previously a mental health patient but has now fully recovered as a teacher in a public school.
5. Most people think that being admitted to a mental hospital is a sign of personal failure.
6. Most people would not hire someone with a history of mental illness to take care of their children, even if he/she had recovered a long time ago.
7. Most people consider those who have stayed in a mental hospital to be of a lower status.
8. If someone with a history of mental illness is actually suited for a job, most employers would still hire them.
9. Compared to hiring someone who has had mental illness, most employers would choose another candidate.
10. Most people I know treat those with mental illness the same way they treat others.
11. Most young people do not want to date someone who has been hospitalized for serious mental illness.
12. When people learn that someone has been in a mental hospital, they tend not to value that person’s opinions.

References

佐斌, 艾传国. 群体认同,自尊和心理疾病污名的关系[J]. 应用心理学, 2011, 17(4):5.
宋冠群. 心理疾病污名与社交网站中自我呈现的关系:自尊的中介作用[D]. 四川师范大学.