Psychiatric Stigma: Two Studies of Behaviour When the Chips are Down

Ever since the research of Goffman (1961) the lot of the former mental patient has been of special import. Unfortunately, several aftereffects of mental hospitalization may occur, in which the disposition of the general public toward the ex-patient may be prejudiced, and, possibly, discriminatory. Except for that of Farina and colleagues, relatively little research has studied these aftereffects. Using a method developed by Page (1977), the present studies investigated a unique aspect of these, namely, problems experienced in obtaining accommodation. Persons identified as former patients experienced significantly greater difficulty in obtaining accommodation that when no such information was given. Comparisons are made with other types of stigma, involving speech impediments, and results are discussed in light of recent work by Farina and others.