Portrayals of Mental Illnesses in Women’s and Men’s Magazines in the United States

• In Event: Depression, Mental Illness, Mental Health Communication

Abstract

Mental illness is a serious and highly stigmatized health risk in the United States. This study examines the portrayal of mental illness in popular women’s and men’s magazines between 2009 and 2013 through a content analysis. It finds that while women’s magazines are more likely to present a more positive coverage of mental illness by citing patients, adopting the scientific discourse and using challenge cues such as personification and hope, the coverage in these two types of magazines are surprisingly similar in terms of the topics covered, causes and solution discussed, expert sources cited, and the stigma cues used.

Authors

• Yiyi Yang, University of Alabama

• Bijie Bie, University of Alabama

• Lu Tang, University of Alabama