Exploring the stigma of mental illness in life worlds of different economic pressure: a maximal contrast analysis.

INTRODUCTION

Little is known about how differences in economic pressure in life worlds shape understandings of mental illness and stigmatization toward people with mental illness.

METHODS

We conducted an explorative study using five focus groups with three to five participants selected through purposive theoretical sampling. Each focus group represented a different life world (operationalized through shared occupational and sociopolitical life goals). Using the method of maximum contrasts, we conducted a qualitative content analysis of 2 focus groups (group 1: n = 4, mean age: 37.7y, volunteer fire fighters; group 2: n = 4, mean age: 41.3y, self-employees working in the service and media sector).

RESULTS

Different life worlds corresponded with different manifestations of stigma and interactions with people with mental illness. Self-employed entrepreneurs rationalized their social behavior using a cost-benefit-analysis that considers possible costs regarding performance and self-optimization. In contrast, volunteer fire fighters described trying to integrate people with mental illness in a familial way.

CONCLUSION

Life worlds not only interrelate with stigmatizing attitudes but shape the process of stigmatization itself. These first results can be used to design modern questionnaires to examine stigmatization and support targeted intervention and prevention strategies.