Public depression stigma does not vary by symptom severity

Background: Previous studies on public depression stigma did not include different severity levels and thus, did not adequately consider the continuum notion of depressive disorders.

Aims: We address the following research questions: 1. Are there differences in public depression stigma according to different severity levels? 2. Is stigma associated with sociodemographic characteristics, experience with depressive symptoms, and symptom severity?

Methods: Computer-assisted telephone interviews were conducted in winter 2019/2020 in Germany (N = 1009). Three vignettes representing mild, moderate, and severe depressive symptoms were used. Three indicators of stigma were assessed: negative stereotypes, anger reactions, and desire for social distance. Age, sex, education, and experience with depression (own affliction, contact) were additionally introduced into multiple linear regression analyses.

Results: Overall, negative stereotypes, anger reactions, and desire for social distance do not significantly vary by depression symptom severity. All components of depression stigma showed positive associations with age, while anger was negatively associated with experiences.

Conclusions: Our results do not indicate that public depression stigma is more pronounced when symptoms are more severe. Conclusion is ambivalent: Persons with severe depression do not seem to be additionally burdened by increased stigma, but the German public holds stigmatizing attitudes even towards individuals with mild depressive symptoms.