Depictions Of Mental Illness Research Articles

Unbecoming Archives: Anne Sexton's "Perverse" Imagination

Abstract: It is impossible to read much about American poet Anne Sexton before encountering references to her "perverse" imagination. Critics routinely argue that she paints a perverse vision of childhood sexuality, female identity, and adult sexuality in her work, and they often object to her frank discussions of the body, its pleasures, and its dangerous powers. Her depictions of mental illness, initiated in To Bedlam and Part Way Back , also earned the derision of many critics who urged her "not to enquire further." Helen Vendler (1988) argued that "a poem was never better for having a uterus in it," and James Dickey objected to being exposed to so much "naked suffering"; that quote was in Anne's wallet when she killed herself in her garage in 1974. In her interviews and her poetry, Sexton answered these critics as a confessional poet and a cultural critic. But even after her death, accusations of her perversion abound. First, her biographer, Diane Middlebrook, exposed her sexual abuse of her daughter Linda. And then Sexton's sister Blanche referred to the poet's "perverse imagination" in a 1991 letter to the Boston Globe , where she and her daughters objected to how Middlebrook's biography represented Sexton's family as riddled with alcoholism, child neglect and/or abuse, and suicide.

Depictions of Firearm Violence Perpetrators and Support for Firearm Policies: An Experimental Survey Analysis of Mental Illness and Criminal Background

We used an experimental study design with newspaper vignettes to examine how characteristics of gun violence perpetrators including mental illness and previous incarceration influence three categories of firearm policy support in a national sample of U.S. adults ( N = 3,387). Depictions of mass shootings elicit greater support for firearm policies than other types such as suicides, accidents, or street-level homicides. Further, depictions of mental illness and previous incarceration increase support for policies regulating who may legally own, purchase, and possess firearms. Demographic characteristics of perpetrators such as gender and race largely do not affect public policy support, although personal characteristics of respondents themselves are predictive of support.

Representation of mental illness in video games beyond stigmatization

The representation of mental illness is part of many video games; however, it is often accompanied by stigmatization of and discrimination against those who are affected. Recently, a more positive approach has been found, including a dimensional representation of mental disorders such as depression or anxiety, especially in games developed by independent developers. The study examined the most popular video games of 2018 and 2019 based on their representation of mental illness in a mixed-methods approach. A quantitative coding process examining general aspects of the games, the characters affected, and the illness representation is followed by a qualitative video game analysis of the games in the sample with a dimensional representation of mental illness. It was found that 16 of the 74 games examined included characters who were affected by mental illnesses. For the most part, mental illness is an essential aspect of the games analyzed in the sample represented by the main characters. However, the depiction of mental illness often lacks depth and dimensionality. Two examples in the study offer a dimensional representation that includes mental illness as characters, as part of the environment and atmosphere, and provides illness-related advice as part of the gameplay. These findings can be helpful for developing games with the potential to reduce discrimination and stigmatization of mental illness and those affected in the future by pointing out aspects leading to a more dimensional and empathetic portrayal of mental illness in existing games. Additionally, the category system used in this study is adaptable to future qualitative research on mental illness representation in video games.

THE INTERSECTION OF MENTAL ILLNESS AND CREATIVITY IN THE WORKS OF SYLVIA PLATH, INCLUDING “THE BELL JAR”

This paper examines the intersection of mental illness and creativity in the works of Sylvia Plath, particularly her novel "The Bell Jar" and her poetry. Through close analysis of her work, this paper explores how Plath's struggles with mental illness informed her creative process and shaped the themes and imagery present in her writing. Additionally, this paper investigates the ways in which Plath's depiction of mental illness in her writing has influenced popular perceptions of mental health and creativity. Overall, this paper argues that Plath's work offers a unique perspective on the relationship between mental illness and creativity, highlighting the complex interplay between these two facets of human experience. This study aims to explore the intersection of mental illness and creativity in the works of Sylvia Plath, particularly in her novel "The Bell Jar" and her poetry. The objectives are to understand how Plath's mental health struggles influenced her creative process and how her works reflect her personal experiences with mental illness. The methodology used in this study is a qualitative analysis of Plath's literary works and biographical information, including her personal journals and letters. The analysis focused on identifying recurring themes related to mental illness and creativity, such as self-doubt, isolation, and introspection. The findings of this study suggest that Plath's mental illness had a significant impact on her creative process, particularly in her introspective and confessional writing style. Her works depict the complex interplay between creativity and mental illness, portraying the emotional turmoil, and struggles that often accompany artistic expression. Moreover, her works shed light on the stigmatization of mental illness in society and the challenges faced by individuals with mental health issues. Overall, this study highlights the importance of understanding the relationship between mental illness and creativity in literature and encourages a more nuanced approach to mental health discussions in society.

Depiction of mental illness and psychiatry in popular video games over the last 20 years.

Video games represent a rapidly growing media form that is a daily activity for many youths. So far, only a little attention has been paid to the portrayal of mental illnesses and psychiatric intervention within them. In our research, we explored the best-selling video games released between 2002–2021 in order to analyse these representations. We came to the conclusion that approximately 1 out of 10 popular games attempts to portray symptoms of mental illness – with a majority of 75% of them in a negative and stereotypical way. Despite the majority of mental illness depiction in popular video games being negative, there are mounting reports that certain representations have a positive impact on their player bases. Further studies are required, as to how much videogames influence the player's attitude toward this topic.

Letter from the Editors

Letter from the Editors

On psychiatry in cinema

Hannibal Lecter, Malcolm Crowe, and Arthur Fleck are three cinematic characters that relentlessly pull the viewer in for different but powerful reasons. A common thread between these characters is their explicit connection to psychiatric illness or its treatment. The author explains how these characters obtain the attention of the audience through the lens of mental illness and how the viewer’s reservoir for compassion stands to deepen during this process. The author concludes with a social commentary on Todd Phillips’ Joker (2019) and the controversy surrounding its depiction of mental illness on the silver screen.

Ethnic Differences In Perceptions of Mental Illness: Examining Intergroup Relations

Author(s): Aringer, Alexandra S.; Calanchini, Jimmy | Abstract: People with mental illness are often stereotyped as dangerous, unstable, or unreliable, and these stereotypes perpetuate prejudice against those who are already vulnerable. However, many of these stereotypes are Eurocentric due to a lack of diversity within psychology. The present, pre-registered research investigates whether depictions of mental illness are idiosyncratic to various racial/ethnic groups, or if these perceptions generalize across groups. Participants reported their endorsement of a series of mental illness descriptions (e.g., “This person spontaneously explodes in outbursts of anger”) as they apply to African Americans, Asian Americans, Hispanic/Latinxs, Caucasians, as well as to individuals with unspecified race/ethnicity. Exploratory factor analyses of these descriptions revealed three factors that describe mentally ill people — ashamed, self-destructive, irresponsible — and participants’ perceptions of mental illness on these three factors varied by racial/ethnic groups. Participants rated Asian Americans as more ashamed, but less self-destructive and irresponsible than other racial/ethnic groups. Conversely, participants rated Caucasians as less ashamed but more self-destructive and irresponsible than other racial/ethnic groups. Perceptions of mental illness did not differ between Hispanic/Latinxs and African Americans. Additional analyses indicate that, compared to Caucasian par- ticipants, non-Caucasian participants rated mentally ill members of their ingroup as more ashamed but less self-destructive and irresponsible. This research indicates that participants from different racial/ethnic groups vary in the extent to which they ascribe different facets of mental illness to their ingroup versus outgroups. Implications for Eurocentric versus more diverse perceptions of mental illness are discussed.

Communication Strategies to Counter Stigma and Improve Mental Illness and Substance Use Disorder Policy

Despite the high burden and poor rates of treatment associated with mental illness and substance use disorders, public support for allocating resources to improving treatment for these disorders is low. A growing body of research suggests that effective policy communication strategies can increase public support for policies benefiting people with these conditions. In October 2015, the Center for Mental Health and Addiction Policy Research at Johns Hopkins University convened an expert forum to identify what is currently known about the effectiveness of such policy communication strategies and produce recommendations for future research. One of the key conclusions of the forum was that communication strategies using personal narratives to engage audiences have the potential to increase public support for policies benefiting persons with mental illness or substance use disorders. Specifically, narratives combining personal stories with depictions of structural barriers to mental illness and substance use disorder treatment can increase the public's willingness to invest in the treatment system. Depictions of mental illness and violence significantly increase public stigma toward people with mental illness and are no more effective in increasing willingness to invest in mental health services than nonstigmatizing messages about structural barriers to treatment. Future research should prioritize development and evaluation of communication strategies to increase public support for evidence-based substance use disorder policies, including harm reduction policies-such as needle exchange programs-and policies expanding treatment.

The “madness” of market logic: mental illness and late capitalism in The Double and Nightcrawler

ABSTRACTThis paper examines representations of mental illness in popular film, particularly Richard Ayoade’s The Double and Dan Gilroy’s Nightcrawler. As I argue, both films trouble typical Hollywood narratives of mental illness by situating schizophrenia and psychopathy, for instance, within a socioeconomic context, specifically relations of production under late capitalism and the unfettered self-interest of neoliberalism. If mental illness is a product of the postindustrial workplace in The Double, it becomes a prerequisite for success in Nightcrawler, providing a cinematic depiction of mental illness at odds with the “personal pathology” paradigm that dominates the current neoliberal landscape.

Mad, bad, and dangerous to know: psychiatric illness in film and theatre

AimsTo describe and discuss the portrayal of psychiatric illness in film and theatre.MethodA review of psychiatric literature on psychiatric illness and stigma was carried out. This was combined with a review of selected films and plays. The dramatic function of mental illness, and the manner of its portrayal, were considered in a discursive manner.ResultsFrom Ancient Greek theatre to modern film, psychiatric illness has been used to exemplify “otherness”. This has frequently had connotations of danger and violence, either to others or to societal norms. Occasionally psychiatric illness is depicted as transformative, or an understandable reaction to an insane environment, and there is a trend towards more nuanced depictions of mental illness. However, the disproportionate association of mental illness with violence and danger is reflected in the public's perception of mental illness, and contributes to self-stigmatisation.ConclusionOngoing communication between psychiatry, service users and the arts may help to challenge the stereotype of “mad, bad and dangerous to know”.

Portrayal of Mental Illness on the TV Series Monk: Presumed Influence and Consequences of Exposure

This study of responses to the TV series Monk, about a detective with obsessive-compulsive disorder, examines perceptions and behaviors related to mental illness. A total of 172 respondents completed an online survey. A parasocial bond with Monk was associated with lower stereotypes of mental illness and less social distance. Predictors and outcomes of perceived influence of the series on self and others were also examined. Perceived (positive) influence of the series on others’ attitudes was predicted by respondents’ favorable evaluation of the series’s depiction of mental illness, as well as greater perceived exposure to and favorable evaluations among family and friends. Perceived influence on others also was associated with greater willingness to disclose mental health treatment, but only among people without personal or family experience with mental illness. In contrast, perceived influence of the series on self was predicted only by respondents’ own evaluations of the series, and was related to willingness to seek mental health treatment—but only among those who had personally dealt with mental illness.

Incorrigible While Incarcerated: Critically Analyzing Mainstream Canadian News Depictions of Ashley Smith

Ashley Smith, who is typically presented in the media as mentally ill, was nineteen years old when she died from self-strangulation in an Ontario women’s prison on October 19 th , 2007. In this paper, I explore how Ashley Smith’s actions and death were portrayed in four mainstream Canadian newspapers ( Globe and Mail , Telegraph-Journal , Toronto Star and National Post ). My aims in this paper are to critically analyze depictions of mental illness presented by these news articles and connect these portrayals to labeling theories. Two variables—the timing of the news coverage and newspaper political affiliation—emerged as being influential in how newspapers depicted Ashley Smith as mentally ill, through their use of generic and/or negative terminology and vulnerability stereotypes. I also discuss ‘alternative’ stories of Ashley Smith and examine their potential to challenge typical conceptualizations of mental illness, gender and carceral environments.

The Representation of Mental Illness in Bermudian Print Media, 1991–2011

Stigmatization of persons with mental illness may be perpetuated through media depictions. This study analyzed changes in the depiction of mental illness by Bermudian newspapers over 20 years. All articles about mental illness in Bermuda's newspapers in 1991, 2001, and 2011 (N=277) were coded for composition, language, consultations and quotations, and content. A significant increase in mental health professional consultation was demonstrated. Articles with a negative overall tone constituted the largest percentage of all articles (40%) and of articles in 2001 (43%) and 2011 (42%). A significant difference was found in primary theme; between 1991 and 2011, articles with an education and information theme dropped from 40% to 18% and articles about violent crime increased from 12% to 18%. The results may necessitate action from the island's advocacy groups. The findings have implications for discussion with the national press.

The Nigerian home video boom: Should Nigerian psychiatrists be worried? Lessons from content review and views of community dwellers

Media depiction of sufferers of mental illness is a widely viewed source of stigmatization and studies have found stigmatizing depictions of mental illness in Nigerian films. With the recent boom in the Nigerian home video industry, there is a need to know how often Nigerians are exposed to films that contain scenes depicting mental illness and how much premium they place on such portrayals as reflecting reality. To assess the popularity of Nigerian home videos among Nigerian community dwellers and the frequency of their exposure to scenes depicting mental illness. A semi-structured questionnaire was designed to obtain socio-demographic data and to find out how often respondents see scenes depicting 'madness' in home videos, as well as their views about the accuracy of such depictions from the orthodox psychiatry point of view. Current home videos available in video rental shops were selected for viewing and content review. All 676 respondents had seen a Nigerian home video in the preceding 30 days: 528 (78%) reported scenes depicting 'mad persons'; 472 (70%) reported that the scenes they saw agreed with their own initial understanding of the cause and treatment of 'madness'. About 20% of the films depicted mental illness. The most commonly depicted cause was sorcery and enchantment by witches and wizards, while the most commonly depicted treatment was magical and spiritual healing by diviners and religious priests. Nigerian home video is a popular electronic media in Nigeria and scenes depicting mental illness are not uncommon. The industry could be harnessed for promoting mental health literacy.

Surveying the portrayal of mental illness across a jurisdiction: Is more than one method appropriate?

The media have an important influence on the public’s perception of health. Coverage can lead to positive consequences, such as greater awareness of human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, or adverse consequences, such as reduced uptake of immunization. Studies usually suggest that the media’s depiction of mental illness is negative, inaccurate and unhelpful. This is unfortunate as media portrayal may have an important influence on community attitudes towards mental health issues. However, not all results have been negative. Two recent studies of non-fiction media found that the vast majority of items were of good quality, with the only failing being the absence of information on appropriate services. There have been a number of approaches to assessing media coverage of health issues. It can be done by researchers themselves, but this is difficult when covering more than one or two print titles. Media-retrieval agencies are therefore commonly used to improve representativeness of the samples. Other methodological problems include the retrospective collection of data and the absence of standardized instruments with explicit criteria. Previously, the author assessed media coverage of mental health by asking patients with psychiatric

What is the Role of Intertextuality in Media Depictions of Mental Illness? Implications for Forensic Psychiatry

This article offers a practical account of intertextuality and its impacts on media portrayals of violent crimes by persons living with a mental illness. We analysed interrelationships across reports, on the same page, of violent crimes by two different individuals diagnosed with a mental illness. The materials were drawn from a practically complete, prospectively collected national sample of print materials (600 items). Reports utilised complementary understandings of mental illness as either pushing a competent person out of control or as associated with routine incompetence and violent criminal action. Three themes relevant to forensic psychiatrists were identified: patient rights versus public safety; community members — active or passive; and mental illness and agency. Photographs, texts and page layouts, rendered each depiction more threatening, enhancing perceived threats of violence and crime associated with mental illness. An appreciation of such interrelationships would appear to be necessary for more effective engagement with lay understandings of mental illnesses and media reports of violent crimes.

Newspaper representations of mental illness and the impact of the reporting of ‘events’ on social policy: the ‘framing’ of Isabel Schwarz and Jonathan Zito

Concerns have been raised internationally about the role of the media in influencing public opinion and by implication, social policy on mental health issues. In particular, anxieties have been expressed that an "excessive" focus by the news media on violence in association with mental illness may reinforce pre-existing stereotypes and by escalating public concerns lead to the adoption of policies which place a high priority on the safety of the public. Such assertions are often contained in the numerous studies that record a seemingly disproportionate number of stories featuring violence in association with mental health. What is, however, almost invariably lacking is a developed theory of agency that explains how or why such depictions of mental illness might exert an influence on social policy. This paper critically examines the potential significance of the way in which responsibility for events is constructed for social policy by means of a discourse analysis, inspired by the genealogical work of Michel Foucault. It uses the device of "frames" originally developed by Goffman to explore the nature of newspaper coverage of two deaths to which causal responsibility for changes in the nature of English social policy in mental health has been attributed. Results presented suggest that attempts to assert a causal influence between media coverage and changes in the nature of social policy must engage with the question of agency.

A Research Agenda Concerning Depictions of Mental Illness in Children's Media

To review research on depictions of mental illness in mass media directed to children and to identify requirements for further research in this important field. The authors identified published research on depictions of mental illness in children's media and the important strengths and weaknesses of such research. Only four relevant studies and one collection of reviews of children's books were found. Three of the studies focused on depictions of mental illness in film, and one study focused on depictions of mental illness in television. While some depictions evoked sympathy, others were frightening and denigrating. There was often insufficient data necessary to ascertain how researchers engaged with the language and visual imagery of the medium. There is an insufficient amount of research in this area. In particular, there is a need to determine how children attribute meaning to depictions of mental illness in children's media.

How mental illness is portrayed in children's television. A prospective study.

There are no published studies concerning the depiction of mental illness in children's television programmes. To determine whether mental illness was depicted in children's television. Sample of one complete week of children's television (57 hours, 50 minutes; 128 series episodes: 69 cartoon animations, 12 non-cartoon animations, 47 real life) provided for children under the age of 10 years. Disclosure analysis of portrayals of mental illness through repeated viewings identified patterns in the use of linguistic, semiotic and rhetorical resources. Of the 128 episodes, 59 (46%) contained one or more references to mental illness, predominantly in cartoons (n = 47, 80%) compared with other episode types (chi 2 = 17.1, d.f. = 2, P < 0.05). Commonly occurring terms such as 'crazy' (n = 28), 'mad' (n = 19) and 'losing your mind' (n = 13) were employed to denote loss of control. The six consistently mentally ill characters were almost entirely devoid of admirable attributes. Young viewers are being socialized into stigmatizing conceptions of mental illness.