Be autonomous or stay away! Providing evidence for autonomy beliefs as legitimizing myths for the stigma of schizophrenia (¡Sé autónomo o mantente al margen! Ofreciendo evidencias para las creencias en la autonomía consideradas como mitos legitimizantes para el estigma de la esquizofrenia)

Abstract

ABSTRACT Authors suggest that in liberal contexts, groups considered as lacking autonomy, such as people with schizophrenia, can face stigma. Following Social Dominance theory, we hypothesized that perceived autonomy of people with schizophrenia mediates the relation between SDO and stigmatizing attitudes. Participants from the general population (N = 255; 76.5% women, Mage = 25.33, SD = 12.3) responded to our questionnaire assessing one’s SDO, perceived autonomy and stigmatizing attitudes towards schizophrenia (i.e., dangerousness and desired social distance). Analysis of direct paths from SDO to perceived autonomy (b = −.45, p < .001) and from the latter to perceived dangerousness (b = −.33, p < .001) and to social distance (b = −.46, p < .001), as well as analysis of indirect paths (b = .15, p < .01) for perceived dangerousness (b = .25, p < .001 for social distance), confirmed our hypotheses, and our model showed a good data fit. Our results provide evidence for the stigmatizing role of the autonomy ideal for people with disabilities and invite further development regarding anti-stigma efforts.