College Students’ Perceptions of Individuals with Anorexia Nervosa: Irritation and Admiration

Authors

Danielle M. Geerling, Marquette University
Stephen M. Saunders, Marquette UniversityFollow

Document Type

Article

Language

eng

Format of Original

5 p.

Publication Date

2015

Publisher

Taylor & Francis

Source Publication

Journal of Mental Health

Source ISSN

0963-8237

Abstract

Background: Stigmatizing attitudes against anorexia nervosa (AN) may act as barriers to treatment.

Aims: Evaluated college students’ perceptions of AN as compared to major depressive disorder (MDD).

Method: One-hundred two female undergraduates read vignettes describing targets with mild or severe MDD or AN, then rated biological, vanity, and self-responsibility attributions; feelings of admiration, sympathy, and anger; and behavioral dispositions toward coercion into treatment, imitation, and social distance.

Results: AN was perceived more negatively than MDD in terms of vanity attributions, self-responsibility attributions, and feelings of anger, but more positively in terms of admiration and imitation.

Conclusions: This research demonstrates stigma-related mixed messages received by individuals with AN, which might be useful in improving eating disorders mental health literacy.

Comments

Accepted version. Journal of Mental Health, Vol. 24, No. 2 (2015): 83-87. DOI. © 2015 Taylor & Francis. Used with permission.

Recommended Citation

Geerling, Danielle M. and Saunders, Stephen M., "College Students’ Perceptions of Individuals with Anorexia Nervosa: Irritation and Admiration" (2015). Psychology Faculty Research and Publications. 202.
https://epublications.marquette.edu/psych_fac/202