Sinful and/or Possessed? Religious Beliefs and Mental Illness Stigma

Stigma—a serious problem for persons with mental illness—is related to reductions in the quality of employment, housing, and social support. Many empirical studies showed common beliefs about persons with mental illness but little was known about how Christian religious beliefs affect perceptions of people with mental illness, or whether beliefs are specific to certain denominations. These two studies (one lab, one Internet-based) assessed religious beliefs about mental illness and their relations to known negative beliefs about mental illness. Our data suggest religious beliefs about mental illness appear as two separate but related dimensions. These dimensions focused on beliefs about sin/morality and spiritually-oriented causes/treatments, and were related to negative secular beliefs about mental illness. They were also related to other individual differences that predict prejudice toward stigmatized groups. Data also suggest these religious beliefs are endorsed differently depending upon religious affiliation.