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Article
Examining the impact of race/ethnicity and gender intersectionality on preferences of social distance from individuals with mental health conditions
Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment (2018)
  • Sha Lai Williams, University of Missouri-St. Louis
  • Sharon D. Johnson
  • Elián P. Cabrera-Nguyen, Washington University in St. Louis
Abstract
This study examined the difference between the relationship of socio-demographic variables as well as the intersection between race/ethnicity and gender on nine indicators of social distance from people with mental health conditions (MHC). Secondary analysis of a randomized telephone survey drawn from the Missouri Institute of Mental Health and the Missouri Mental Health Foundation in the spring of 2013 was conducted. The sample included 2,244 Midwestern respondents. Multivariate logistic regressions were utilized. The sample was mostly White (91.7%) and female (59.8%), with a mean age of 57.1 years. Being female, 65+ years of age, and having a higher annual income ($50,000+) was associated with a lower preference for social interactions with individuals experiencing MHC. Black males, however, had an increased willingness to interact with this population. Findings suggest that it may be beneficial for anti-stigma programs to target populations that seem to be consistently less willing to interact with individuals experiencing MHC (e.g., individuals who are older or who have a higher annual income). Additional research is needed to explore why Black men may be more willing to interact with people with MHC.

Keywords
  • Public stigma,
  • social distance,
  • mental health conditions,
  • race/ethnicity intersection
Disciplines
Publication Date
2018
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1080/10911359.2018.1433572
Citation Information
Sha Lai Williams, Sharon D. Johnson and Elián P. Cabrera-Nguyen. "Examining the impact of race/ethnicity and gender intersectionality on preferences of social distance from individuals with mental health conditions" Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment Vol. 28 Iss. 3 (2018) p. 370 - 380
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/shalai-williams/12/