Felix | Faculty Fellow Pilot Project

Project Title

Mental Health Stigma and Care-Giving Experiences Among Women

Project Leader

Liz Felix, Assistant Professor, Department of Sociology

Project Summary

People with mental illness, as well as their close friends and family, are at increased risk of being socially avoided and devalued by others in society. Individuals who learn negative stereotypes about mental illness, for instance, may be less likely to befriend someone with depression or their family members. Given the social, economic, and health consequences of rejection and mistreatment, researchers continue to study who is most at risk of experiencing it and how to reduce it. The objective of the proposed research is to examine the potential negative and distressing social experiences of women with mental illness and women with social ties contending with mental illnesses (e.g., friends, spouses, siblings). Investigating the personal and interpersonal mental health experiences of women is especially relevant given that women (1) are at increased risk of certain mental illnesses, such as mood disorders, (2) report knowing more people with mental illness, and (3) may be expected to provide greater social support to family and

friends with mental illness due to cultural beliefs about care-giving. To complete its objectives, this research project will analyze egocentric network data from a national survey on women, their mental health status, and the mental health status of people in their personal networks to determine the prevalence of and risk factors for various mental health-related outcomes (i.e., perceived discrimination, caregiver burden, and relational demands). This project should identify risk and protective factors that can be considered in the future design of anti-stigma efforts, as well as interventions to support people with mental illness and their social ties.