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Meta-Analysis
. 2021 Apr;51(5):716-726.
doi: 10.1017/S0033291721000854. Epub 2021 Apr 8.

Continuum beliefs and mental illness stigma: a systematic review and meta-analysis of correlation and intervention studies

Lina-Jolien Peter  1 , Stephanie Schindler  2 , Christian Sander  2 , Silke Schmidt  3 , Holger Muehlan  3 , Thomas McLaren  3 , Samuel Tomczyk  3 , Sven Speerforck  2 , Georg Schomerus  1   2
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

Continuum beliefs and mental illness stigma: a systematic review and meta-analysis of correlation and intervention studies

Lina-Jolien Peter et al. Psychol Med. 2021 Apr.

Abstract

Background: Promulgating a continuum model of mental health and mental illness has been proposed as a way to reduce stigma by decreasing notions of differentness. This systematic review and meta-analysis examines whether continuum beliefs are associated with lower stigma, and whether continuum interventions reduce stigma.

Methods: Following a pre-defined protocol (PROSPERO: CRD42019123606), we searched three electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, and PsycINFO) yielding 6726 studies. After screening, we included 33 studies covering continuum beliefs, mental illness, and stigma. Of these, 13 studies were included in meta-analysis.

Results: Continuum beliefs are consistently associated with lower stigma. Interventions were effective at manipulating continuum beliefs but differ in their effects on stigmatising attitudes.

Conclusions: We discuss whether and to what extent attitudes towards people with mental illness can be improved by providing information on a mental health-mental illness continuum. It appeared to be relevant whether interventions promoted a feeling of 'us' and a process of identification with the person with mental illness. We discuss implications for the design of future interventions.

Keywords: continuum beliefs; continuum model; mental health; meta-analysis; social distance; stigma; systematic review.

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Conflict of interest statement

None.

Figures

Fig. 1.
Fig. 1.
Flow chart of the review process.
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