Role of Narrative Persuasion in Reducing Stigma and Promoting Acceptance of Mental Illness

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

Abstract

This study examines the role of narrative persuasion in reducing stigma and promoting acceptance of mental illness. Specifically, we investigate the relative persuasiveness of narrative vs. non-narrative messages, as well as the relative effectiveness of first-person vs. third-person narratives. Findings of a between-subjects experiment (N = 562) suggested that narratives were more effective than non-narratives in promoting favorable attitudes toward the mentally ill. While narratives led to greater transportation among the participants, reduced counterarguing seemed to be the underlying mechanism for enhanced persuasiveness of narratives. Moreover, we found an interaction between narrative perspective and participants’ gender, indicating that first-person narratives were particularly powerful among male participants. Theoretical and practical implications of the findings are discussed.

Authors

• Zexin Ma, University of Maryland

• Xiaoli Nan, U of Maryland