Blundell, RC; (2014) The association between contact and Intellectual Disability and Mental Health literacy and stigma. Doctoral thesis (D.Clin.Psy), UCL (University College London).

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Abstract

This thesis examines the association between personal contact with people with intellectual disabilities and schizophrenia and literacy and stigma of the lay public. Contact is seen as a key route to tackling stigma, however the research in intellectual disabilities and mental health is limited by many previous studies assessing contact as present or absent only. Part one is a literature review examining the relationship between personal contact with people with intellectual disabilities and attitudes. There has been limited research examining public attitudes towards people with intellectual disabilities, especially in comparison to the attention given to perceptions of mental illness. The findings indicate contact with people with intellectual disabilities generally has a positive effect on lay attitudes, but that the relationship is affected by a number of variables. Quality of contact in particular may be important. Part two is an empirical paper investigating whether contact as a nuanced variable, including the factors: closeness, frequency and nature, is better than a binary variable assessing contact as present or absent only, in explaining the relationship between literacy, causal attributions and stigma, for both intellectual disabilities and schizophrenia. The results indicate future research examining contact should consider other factors, particularly the closeness of the relationship. The findings are considered in relation to anti-stigma campaigns, the evidence base and directions for future research. Part three is a critical review of the thesis. The review examines the concepts and methodology used and considers wider issues relating to stigma research. The review concludes with personal reflections on the process of conducting the thesis.

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