Framing of Celebrity Mental Health Disclosures: Emotional Responses, Perceptions and Stigma

• In Event: Persuasion and Media in Health Contexts

Abstract

Respondents (N=533) completed an online questionnaire on MTurk. They were randomly assigned to read an article about one of ten celebrities (five male, five female) who had publicly disclosed having bipolar disorder. There were four versions of the article for each celebrity, which varied information about the celebrity’s diagnosis, behaviors, and treatment. Before reading the article, respondents indicated their familiarity with the celebrity, and if the person was known to them, rated their parasocial relationship (PSR). After reading the article, they rated their emotions and perceptions of the celebrity, as well as two measures of stigma (stereotypes, social distance). Expected framing effects were observed for emotions and perceptions, and article content was related to stigma measures in expected ways. PSR was associated with lower stigma and also moderated the influence of article content on stigma. Findings address the role of celebrity disclosures and media coverage in reducing mental illness stigma.

Authors

• Cynthia A. Hoffner, Georgia State U

• Se Jung Park, John Carroll U