Study Stigma toward Depression between Chinese International Students and Chinese Local Students

Abstract

Depression is one of the most diagnosed mental illnesses in the world, and China, the country with the largest population in the world, has more than 173 million people suffering from mental illnesses. A major factor when addressing mental illness is the stigma behind it – a derogatory view of mental illness, and in China stigma for depression is particularly high. This may be due to cultural ideas that affect Chinese people’s view of mental health. This study attempted to understand how stigma may be culturally driven, and thus what the effect of moving to a different country, with different notions of mental health, might have on Chinese students. Thus, this study collected data via an online survey from 133 Chinese international students and 273 Chinese local students. Participants were recruited for students via social media posts and through a Chinese questionnaire platform (WenJuanXing). Stigma was measured using the Depression Stigma Scale [DSS] and depression was measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9. The results show that Chinese international students had a lower level of stigma than Chinese local students. Also, within the years of study abroad increase and stigma toward depression decreases. The reason could be experiencing western culture provided different views and knowledge approaches.