Responses to Carrie Fisher’s Mental Health Disclosures: Identification, Humor, and Perceived Influence on Public Stigma

• In Event: HIGH-DENSITY: Narratives and Health Communication

Abstract

Soon after Carrie Fisher’s death, participants (N=305) completed a survey via Mechanical Turk that addressed responses to her mental health disclosures prior to her death, identification and emotional responses while viewing/reading her interviews/writings, and mental health-related outcomes (stereotypes of bipolar disorder; social distance; willingness to seek mental health treatment). The more openly Fisher was perceived as disclosing, the lower stigma reported by people who did not have a mental health condition. Perceiving that her disclosures had lowered public stigma was associated with lower stereotypes and social distance, and greater willingness to seek treatment. Identification with Fisher was associated with lower stereotypes, but only for those with a mental health condition, suggesting lowered self-stigma. Finally, emotional responses to her interviews/writing suggest that compassion lowered social distance and that her humor may have increased comfort about seeking treatment. Implications of the findings for media and celebrity health disclosures are discussed.

Author

• Cynthia A. Hoffner, Georgia State U