Books, Articles and Research

Brief Report: Self Stigma, Empowerment, and Percieved Legitimacy of Discrimination Among women with Mental Health Issues
"This brief report summarizes a study that sought to understand why some women with mental health problems experience negative self-perceptions while others do not. The study found that perceived legitimacy of discrimination may be a crucial determinant of a person's response to stigma. "

Q&A: First lady Rosalynn Carter on America's mental health crisis
TIME interviewed Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, advocate for improving the mental health system and ending the negative perceptions that keep many people from getting proper care. In the interview, Mrs. Carter comments on topics including psychiatric drugs for children and the needs of returning service members.

More Social Inclusion For People With Mental Health Problems, UK
This article chronicles an effort by the British government's Health Ministry to promote social inclusion for people with mental health problems. The national directive targets vocational opportunities, social inclusion, and women-focused services.

The Role of Gender in Mental-Illness Stigma: A National Experiment
In a national, Web-based survey experiment, the authors' investigated the role played by gender in moderating mental-illness stigma. Respondents read a case summary in which the gender of the person was orthogonally manipulated along with the type of disorder; the cases reflected either a male-typical disorder or a female-typical disorder.

Shame, not guilt, related to substance-abuse problems; Reducing feelings of shame may be key to more effective treatment
This study included three groups of participants with different levels of alcohol and drug problems. Two groups were primarily female college students about 20 years of age. The third group was comprised of predominantly male inmates from a metropolitan area jail who were, on average, 31 years of age.It appears that individuals who are prone to shame when dealing with a variety of life problems may also have a tendency to turn toward alcohol and other drugs to cope with this feeling.

The role of gender in mental-illness stigma: A national experiment
In a national, Web-based survey experiment, the authors investigated the role played by gender in moderating mental-illness stigma.

Effects of perceived discrimination on mental health and mental health services utilization among gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender persons.
In this article the authors examined the extent to which a recent experience of a major discriminatory event may contribute to poor mental health among LGBT persons.

On stigma and its consequences: Evidence from a longitudinal study of men with dual diagnoses of mental illness and substance abuse
In this study researchers test whether stigma has enduring effects on well-being by interviewing 84 men with dual diagnoses of mental disorder and substance abuse at two points in time--at entry into treatment, when they were addicted to drugs and had many psychiatric symptoms and then again after a year of treatment, when they were far less symptomatic and largely drug- and alcohol-free.

The prevalene of perceived discrimination among African American and Caribbean Black youth
This study examined ethnic, gender, and age differences in perceived discrimination and the association between perceived discrimination and psychological well-being in a nationally representative sample of Black adolescents.

Gender, race-ethnicity, and psychosocial barriers to mental healthcare: An examination of perceptions and attitudes among adults reporting unmet need
This study investigates correlates of psychosocial barriers to mental health care in a population of adults reporting unmet need for mental health care, focusing on gender and race-ethnicity.

Gender and opinions about mental illness as predictors of attitudes toward seeking professional psychological help
The study investigated the relationship between students opinions about mental illness and their attitudes toward seeking professional help and the researchers also examined the effects of opinions about mental illness on help-seeking attitudes about and beyond well-known gender effects.

Health care providers' perspective of the gender influences on immigrant women's mental health care experience
The primary goal of this study was to explore how contextual factors intersect with race, gender, and class to influence the ways in which immigrant women seek help and to increase awareness and understanding of what would be helpful in meeting the mental health care needs of the immigrant women.

How does being female assist help-seeking for mental health problems?
The aim of the present study was to examine a number of attitudinal factors that may influence help-seeking for mental health problems. Men scored higher on measures of stoicism and personal stigma associated with mental health problems than women, and compared to women had lower scores on the facets of openness to experience.

Gender and opinions about mental illness as predictors of attiudes toward seeking professional psychological help
The study investigated the relationship between students' opinions about mental illness and their attitudes toward seeking attitudes. Researchers also examined the effects of opinions about mental illness on help seeking attitudes above and beyond well-known gender effects.

Ethnic variations in mental health attitudes and service use among low-income African American, Latina, and European American young women
This study examines the predictors of mental health service use among patients in an ethnically diverse public-care women's clinic.

The influence of culture on immigrant women's mental health care experiences from the perspectives of health care providers
In this article, the authors suggest that although cultural knowledge and practices influence immigrant women's coping choices and strategies, awareness of social and economic differences among diverse groups of immigrant women is necessary to improve the accessibility of mental health care for immigrant women.

Training veterans in recovery
Two female veterans share how peer employment training is making a difference in their recovery from Post Traumatic Syndrome Disorder (PTSD).

Mental health correlates of perceived discrimination among lesbian, gay, and bisexual adults in the United States
Recent studies suggest that lesbians and gay men are at higher risk for stress-sensitive psychiatric disorders than are heterosexual persons. This article examines the possible role of perceived discrimination in generating that risk.

Experiences of harassment, discrimination, and physical violence among young gay and bisexual men
Study examining the 6-month cumulative incidence of anti-gay harassment, discrimination, and violence among young gay/bisexual men. Research also documented their associations with mental health.

Sexual orientation and mental and physical health status: findings from a Dutch population survey
Study completed to determine whether sexual orientation is related to mental and physical health and health behaviors in the general population.

Sexual orientation and mental health: results from a community survey of young and middle-aged adults
Study designed to assess separately the mental health of homosexual and bisexual groups compared with heterosexuals.

Gender specific correlates of stigma toward depression in a Canadian general population sample.
The objectives of this research were to identify gender specific demographic, clinical, knowledge and attitudinal factors associated with stigma related to depression.  

Age, gender, and the underutilization of mental health services: The influence of help-seeking attitudes
The objectives of this study were to explore age and gender differences in attitudes toward seeking professional psychological help, and to examine whether attitudes negatively influence intentions to seek help among older adults and men, whose mental health needs are underserved.

Rurality, gender, and mental health treatment
The objective of this study was to identify the influence of gender and rurality on mental health services utilization by using more sensitive indices of rurality.

Gender and health services use for a mental health problem
This study addresses whether the predictors of seeking help for a mental health problem differ by gender in Puerto Rico.

Sex differences in opinion towards mental illness of secondary school students in Hong Kong
This paper reports on the effect of sex differences in a study of secondary school students' opinions about mental illness in Hong Kong.

Stigma starts early: Gender differences in teen willingness to use mental health services
This article explores gender differences and the role of stigma in teen willingness to use mental health services.

No comfort in the rural south: Women living depressed
An article discussing the opportunities for research and strategy that exist for providing mental health services to women in a rural area.

Chinese cultural dynamics of unemployability of male adults with psychiatric disabilities in Hong Kong
In this case history, instead of finding realistic employment, a male adult with psychiatric disability tried to indulge himself in what he felt was his ideal job to fulfill all requirements as an adult male in Chinese culture. The imaginative ideal job gave him excuses to discontinue open employment. Its implications to vocational rehabilitation with male adults with psychiatric disability are discussed.

Is low self-esteem an inevitable consequence of stigma? An example from women with chronic mental health problems
It often is assumed that membership in a stigmatized group has negative consequences for the self-concept. However, this relationship is neither straightforward nor inevitable, and there is evidence suggesting that negative consequences may not necessarily occur (Psychol. Rev. 96(4) (1989) 608). This paper argues that the relationship has not been sufficiently theorized, and that a more detailed analysis is called for in order to understand the relationship between stigma and the self.

Dynamics of inclusion and exclusion: Comparing mental illness narratives of Haredi male patients and their rabbis
By comparing versions of mental illness narratives - told by Haredi (Utraorthodox Jews) male patients of a mental health clinic in Israel and by their rabbis - this paper relates to two distinct, yet interrelated, theoretical questions: the place and agency of narrators, and the tension between experience and representation.

Behavioral health care needs of rural women
This report attempts to direct attention to this underrepresented group and presents a review of the literature related to the behavioral health care needs of rural women. With this knowledge, psychologists and other health professionals will be able to more effectively plan and deliver services to this population.

Focus on women: Mothers with mental illness: I: The competing demands of parenting and living with mental illness
The purpose of this study is to understand the parenting experiences of women with mental illness from the perspectives of mothers and case managers employed by the state department of mental health.

New data on lesbian, gay, and bisexual mental health: New findings overturn previous beliefs
An article briefly discussing the results of several breakthrough studies which offer new insights on gay men, lesbians and bisexuals.

People with psychiatric disabilities, employment, and the Americans with Disabilities Act: Turning policy into practice
This is a report of the proceedings of a two-day roundtable discussion on "People with Psychiatric Disabilities, Employment and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)" held in January 1995.

Lesbians and gay men join mental health field
An article discussing how individuals of the GLBT community are joining the mental health profession.

Cultural diversity series: Meeting the mental health needs of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender persons. Executive summary
This report provides basic information regarding common mental health concerns of GLBT persons to aid in the development of culturally competent mental health services and supports.

Being gay and mentally disabled [sic]
This article reflects on the lives of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people with mental illnesses. It focuses attention on the Zappalorti Society in New York City. 

On stigma and its consequences: Evidence from a longitudinal study of men with dual diagnoses of mental illness and substance abuse
In this study, we test whether stigma has enduring effects on well-being by interviewing 84 men with dual diagnoses of mental disorder and substance abuse at two points in time--at entry into treatment, when they were addicted to drugs and had many psychiatric symptoms and then again after a year of treatment, when they were far less symptomatic and largely drug- and alcohol-free.

Prevalence, severity, and unmet need for treatment of mental disorders in the World Health Organization World Mental Health surveys
Little is known about the extent or severity of untreated mental disorders, especially in less-developed countries. This study estimates prevalence, severity, and treatment of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) mental disorders in 14 countries (6 less developed, 8 developed) in the World Health Organization (WHO) World Mental Health (WMH) Survey Initiative.