Frontiers in Public Health (Nov 2023)

Explorative analyses on spatial differences in the desire for social distance toward people with mental illness in a diverging city

  • Claudia Helmert,
  • Sven Speerforck,
  • Toni Fleischer,
  • Danielle Otten,
  • Christoph Kasinger,
  • Elmar Brähler,
  • Elmar Brähler,
  • Holger Muehlan,
  • Laura Altweck,
  • Stefanie Hahm,
  • Silke Schmidt,
  • Matthias Reusche,
  • Heide Glaesmer,
  • Andreas Hinz,
  • Nigar Reyes,
  • Kerstin Wirkner,
  • Kerstin Wirkner,
  • Christoph Engel,
  • Georg Schomerus,
  • Christine Ulke

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1260118
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 11

Abstract

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IntroductionStigma is an individual and societal process based on attitudes and power and relates to both spatial disparities and social distinction. In this study, we examined differences in desire for social distance toward people with mental illness within a city using social and spatial information.MethodsANOVAs and Scheffé post-hoc tests analyzed varying desires for social distance toward people with mental illness within Leipzig (East Germany). Joint Correspondence Analyses (JCA) explored correspondences between desire for social distance, socio-economic status, age, life orientation, social support, duration of living in Leipzig, and shame toward having a mental illness in five city districts of Leipzig in LIFE study participants (by Leipzig Research Center for Civilization Disease, data collected 2011–2014 and 2018–2021, n = 521).ResultsStigma varied among Leipzig’s districts (F(df = 4) = 4.52, p = 0.001). JCAs showed that a higher desired social distance toward people with mental illness corresponded with spatial differences, high levels of pessimism, high shame of being mentally ill, low social support, low socio-economic status, and older age (75.74 and 81.22% explained variances).ConclusionIn terms of stigma, where people with mental illness live matters. The results identified target groups that should be addressed by appropriate intervention and prevention strategies for mental health care.

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