Search Results (82)

Currently, mental health diagnoses are associated with a negative connotation in society, leading to discriminatory and rejecting behaviours towards individuals with mental health conditions and their families. This hinders access to specialised resources, education and employment. This stigma is based on erroneous knowledge and discriminatory attitudes and behaviours within the population, which are closely linked to the concepts of stereotype, prejudice, and discrimination. These factors create situations that affect the quality of life and recovery processes of individuals with diagnoses. A quantitative, cross-sectional, analytical–descriptive study was conducted to identify knowledge, attitudes and behaviours relating to individuals with mental health diagnoses in a large community-based sample of the Spanish population. The S3 scale was used to identify the necessary factors associated with lower levels of stigma from a structural perspective. The sample consisted of 563 participants, with an average age of 35.81 years, predominantly women (n = 381, 65.2%). Notably, 87.0% (n = 490) of the sample had contact with at least one person diagnosed with a mental health condition during their lifetime. The most significant findings revealed that individuals without training and those with central or conservative ideologies exhibited significantly higher levels of stereotypes, stigmatising attitudes, and discriminatory behaviours than their counterparts. Based on these results obtained, it is recommended that existing personal and economic resources be expanded and focused to provide specific mental health training to the Spanish population, as well as to promoting the creation of spaces for contact and inclusive participation with individuals diagnosed with mental health conditions. Full article

Ageism—encompassing stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination across age groups—affects how individuals perceive and experience their own ageing. This study, based on a large sample (N = 1047), compared three age cohorts and explored intra-group variability among older adults (65–75 vs. ≥76 years). Results indicated that attitudes towards ageing were influenced by life stage, knowledge about ageing, perceived ageism, and internalised stereotypes. Participants aged 65–75 years showed more favourable attitudes, greater knowledge, and better emotional wellbeing compared to the ≥76 group, which exhibited higher hostile ageism and lower psychological wellbeing. A forward stepwise logistic regression (explained 35.9% of the variance) identified five predictors of a positive self-perception of ageing: lower perceived age discrimination; generally positive attitudinal profile; endorsement of benevolent stereotypes; absence of hostile ageism; and belonging to the 65–75 group. The findings highlighted the psychosocial complexity of ageing and call for interventions promoting positive ageing and reducing ageism. Full article

This study explores the educational trajectories of elderly deaf people in Spain who were educated between 1960 and 1980. The research was based on biographical-narrative methodology as a qualitative research technique. The data analysis was structural, using code identification and a system of categories and dimensions. Based on the stories and testimonies of 18 deaf people over the age of 65 living in Galicia, the stereotypes, prejudices and academic barriers in their school experience are analysed. The testimonies reveal an exclusionary education system, marked by a lack of accessibility, an absence of sign language interpreters, and the imposition of oralism as the only means of teaching. These conditions negatively affected the participants’ personal development, self-esteem, and employment opportunities. Discriminatory attitudes on the part of teachers and the school community were also identified. However, some highlighted key support and the informal use of sign language as positive elements. The study emphasises that, although there have been improvements in the education of deaf people, further progress is needed in the development of inclusive education policies that recognise sign language and promote accessibility and equity in the education of deaf people. Full article

Background: Stereotypes and prejudices about the Roma community are common due to the fact that little information has been documented in a scientific way, as this population is difficult to access and study. Aim: Through this study, we aimed to investigate and disseminate the values by which members of a Roma community in Northeastern Romania live their lives, to be the first to provide written documentation of the values of this ethnic group, and to make this information available to anyone interested. Method: 28 participants of Roma ethnicity, aged between 19–52 years old, took part in the study. The study design is qualitative, and data were collected through three focus groups, based on a semi-structured interview. Results: The values of the Roma community that emerged as representative were family, care and sacrifice for others, respect, unity, responsibility, fidelity and faith in God. Any change in their lifestyles is seen as a betrayal, a departure from family and culture, which makes the integration of new values and customs difficult. Conclusions: These data are an important source of up-to-date information from which state institutions can benefit and adapt their actions in relation to Roma ethnic groups. Full article

Hate speech comprises expressions that promote discrimination, violence, and the exclusion of individuals or groups based on identity characteristics such as race, gender, religion, or sexual orientation. Social media platforms have provided a space for the amplification of such discourse, fostering a climate of intolerance that undermines social and democratic coexistence. In the educational sphere, hate speech has a detrimental impact on the initial training of students and teachers. That its presence within school environments contributes to social fragmentation, the deterioration of learning processes, and an increase in violence. Furthermore, such discourse reinforces prejudices and stereotypes that hinder the construction of a critical and pluralistic citizenship. From the outset of teacher education, it is essential to develop pedagogical strategies that foster critical thinking and education in democratic values. Digital literacy and explicit instruction on the impact of hate speech can contribute to the prevention of these exclusionary dynamics. An inclusive and reflective education is key to counteracting the effects of intolerance in contemporary society. Full article

The phenomenon of population ageing indicates an overall improvement in health and quality of life. However, it also presents significant social challenges, particularly with regard to age discrimination and the negative stereotypes and attitudes towards older people known as ageism. Various studies have shown that these prejudices have a negative impact on the social integration and well-being of this group. This quasi-experimental pre-test–post-test study, which involved a non-equivalent comparison group, was carried out at the University of Salamanca with psychology and social work students. This study aimed to reduce negative stereotypes about old age and unfavourable attitudes towards retirement by implementing a three-phase educational programme. The programme incorporated flipped classroom methodology and intergenerational collaborative projects. Participants were divided into two groups: an intervention group responsible for designing intergenerational projects and a comparison group which did not participate in the intervention. The Negative Stereotypes towards Old Age Questionnaire (CENVE) and the Attitudes towards Retirement Scale (ARS) were administered before and after the programme. The results showed a significant decrease in negative stereotypes in the intervention group, with no changes observed in the comparison group. The impact varied according to academic discipline. Integrating active and intergenerational methodologies into educational contexts is proposed as a means of mitigating ageism, promoting inclusion, and fostering social justice. Full article

In the United States, courts say a jury must determine whether a defendant is an Indian subject to federal jurisdiction; however, jurors are provided little guidance regarding what to consider in their Indian status determinations. Given the jurisdictional and legal defense implications Indian status decisions have, we tested whether jurors consider two easily accessible potential indicators of Indian race: appearance and name. We examined whether mock jurors’ (N = 825) stereotypes of Indians influenced their determinations of whether a defendant is an Indian and whether that defendant is guilty of the crime alleged using a fully crossed 3 (defendant photo Indian stereotypicality: high, low, and none) × 3 (defendant name Indian stereotypicality: high, low, and none) between-participants design, controlling for participants’ feelings toward Indians as a group and internal and external motivations to respond without prejudice. In general, neither the defendant’s name nor photo stereotypicality predicted Indian status determinations, but jurors who thought the defendant was an Indian were more likely to find the defendant guilty. Thus, mock jurors consider factors other than the defendant’s name and appearance when deciding whether the defendant is Indian, but if the defendant is considered Indian, mock jurors are more likely to find the defendant guilty. Full article

Background/Objectives: Hearing loss (HL) is a prevalent condition that can lead to social exclusion. This review explores the epidemiological, cultural, and social dimensions of HL and examines the barriers to accessibility that individuals with HL encounter. Methods: This research employs a narrative review approach to provide a comprehensive overview of HL, focusing on stigma, gender disparities, cultural and social differences, and accessibility challenges. Results: The review highlights pervasive prejudices surrounding HL and hearing devices. Gender disparities are evident, with Deaf women facing compounded challenges. Cultural perspectives on HL differ widely, ranging from the medical model, which emphasizes treatment using hearing devices, to the Deaf community’s social model, which views deafness as a cultural identity. Socioeconomic disparities further restrict access to modern technologies, particularly in low-income settings, while intersectional discrimination affects marginalized groups within the Deaf community. Public spaces also present significant barriers related to communication, architecture, and technology, which hinder accessibility for individuals with HL. Conclusions: A cultural shift is essential to dismantle societal stereotypes and reduce discrimination associated with HL. Moreover, improving accessibility for individuals with HL necessitates a multifaceted approach, including accessible design, staff training, and the integration of assistive technologies. Full article

Just as Israel brands itself as a progressive “Start-Up Nation”, Israeli citizens increasingly identify as religious. Religion plays an increasing role in intergroup tensions in Israel. Negative effects of religion and its public representations on intergroup attitudes are well researched, but little is known of its positive effects. We ask whether religion can also play a role in improving intergroup attitudes. This study explores the effects of three different public and media representations of shared identity and tolerance on interreligious prejudice among Israeli Muslim adolescents and young adults. The interventions included an interfaith similarities-based common ingroup identity (focusing on shared aspects of Judaism and Islam), a modern national universalistic approach (focusing on religious tolerance), and a modern academic technological identity (highlighting Israel as a “Start-Up Nation”). Findings indicate that the interfaith similarities-based intervention had the most substantial impact in reducing prejudice, specifically by decreasing stereotypes and increasing willingness for social encounters. In contrast, the national universalistic and technological identity interventions were less effective, and in some cases even increased perceived threat or failed to mitigate stereotypes. These findings highlight the potential for leveraging interfaith commonalities as a foundation for intergroup prejudice reduction. Full article

The concept of stigma has evolved, initially denoting a mark of shame and now encompassing a broader range of negative societal perceptions. Cognitive-social models describe stigma as containing stereotypes, discrimination, and prejudice, with each dimension significantly impacting individuals’ health, social interactions, and willingness to seek help. This study has the objective of exploring the main theories about stigma to propose a novel model that integrates these dimensions, illustrating their interactions and cumulative impact on individuals and their families. The model aims for a comprehensive understanding of stigma development in mental illness and provides valuable insights for developing targeted anti-stigma interventions, ultimately improving the lives of individuals with mental illness and their families. Full article

Background: The prevalence of people with obesity is increasing worldwide, facing challenges in terms of discrimination and prejudice across all settings, including healthcare. Objective: The objective of this review is to compare and synthesize recent scientific literature regarding nurses’ behaviors and attitudes toward patients with obesity. Methods: A systematized methodology was employed, conducting a literature search of studies published in the bibliographic resources (Academic Search Complete, CINAHL Complete, Web of Science, and Scopus from 2018 to 2023); using specific terms combined with the Boolean operators, AND and OR. Inclusion criteria: Quantitative, qualitative, or mixed research conducted on nurses and/or nursing students in a context focused on the care of adult patients with obesity. Critical appraisal tools from the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) were used to evaluate the included studies, and their level of evidence was also determined. Results: Initially, the search yielded 166 articles, of which 14 were included in this review. The results found focused on the use of scales and tools heterogeneous to each other. The findings can be categorized into two main areas: studies investigating interventions aimed at reducing negative behaviors related to weight bias and prejudice, and studies focusing on assessing these attitudes. The evidence points in a consistent direction: nurses exhibit negative attitudes toward patients with obesity. Conclusions: The need for multilevel strategies, from clinical to academic training, to address this challenge is highlighted, alongside the development of research that complements the current evidence with a deeper and more detailed understanding of this phenomenon. Full article

The gender perspective (GP) aims to generate social change by questioning the stereotypes and roles assigned to individuals and addressing biases and related issues. In Chile, it has been promoted through public policies (Law No.21.369). For this reason, the Physical Education, Sports, and Recreation Pedagogy program at a state university has adjusted its curricular activities. Rhythmic gymnastics (RG), a sport traditionally considered exclusive to women and previously taught only to “them”, must now be taken by all people, regardless of their gender. This research, project funded by the Metropolitan University of Chile DIUMCE01-2024-EFA, analyzes the opinions of 50 students about RG in their curriculum and its relationship with GP prior to taking the course. The study follows a qualitative case study approach, applying semantic content analysis with emergent categories to the responses. The student body presents a favorable attitude toward the curricular activity, expressing interest in applying it within their professional field. They state that sports should be practiced without gender differentiation. They recognize that there are social biases linked to gender stereotypes. On the other hand, the lack of knowledge of RG implies prejudices, such as feeling uncoordinated, inflexible, and uncomfortable when working on corporal expression. Full article

The Roma population is one of the most discriminated social groups. Ignorance of their culture, traditions, etc. generates prejudices and stereotypes that hinder the processes of intercultural coexistence. The aim is to make the Roma people visible and to intervene in the university population, promoting intercultural and inclusive learning spaces to reduce behaviors that generate inequalities. Students from the University of Valladolid were involved, 1255 students in particular, distributed in control and experimental groups. The instrument consists of 40 closed questions and one open-ended. A quantitative analysis was carried out in the anti-Gypsy attitudes categories with t-tests. Item to item differences were not significant in categories A, B and C, but there were differences in D between the experimental and the control groups, which confirms important trends in the target population. Prejudices towards the Roma population continue to exist. University students who receive training have fewer prejudices than students who do not, although other variables can influence the process. Of the students, 72.2% are disturbed by the same negative behaviors, regardless of the ethnic group, and half of them are disturbed by behaviors based on prejudices. It is confirmed the need for preventive interventions to avoid the establishment of erroneous beliefs about the Roma community. Full article

The persistence of anti-Jewish and antisemitic stereotypes throughout history, from medieval times to the present, reveals the enduring power of visual and cultural narratives in shaping public perceptions of Jews. This paper examines how Yvan Attal’s film Ils sont partout effectively satirizes these stereotypes, exposing their absurdity and the dangers of such ingrained prejudices. By connecting modern satire to historical instances of antisemitism, this study emphasizes the necessity of challenging and critically analyzing these harmful depictions. While the forms of anti-Jewish and antisemitism evolve over time, the underlying biases remain disturbingly consistent across cultures and eras. Full article

Background: Ageism refers to the presence of stereotypes, prejudices, and discrimination against older adults based on their age. In healthcare settings it negatively impacts opportunities for treatment, rehabilitation, and cure opportunities. This study aims to assess the presence of ageism among healthcare workers toward older patients and to identify the associated sociodemographic, personal, and work-related factors. Methods: A systematic review of the literature was performed using PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, and Scopus. Studies that assessed the presence of ageism among healthcare professionals through a quantitative or mixed methodology and published between 2014 and 2024 were included. Results: Fifteen articles met the inclusion criteria. Healthcare workers generally exhibited low rates of ageism; however, results varied across studies. Although the available literature is limited, workers with less knowledge about aging and less experience, especially in geriatric units, showed higher ageism scores. Intergenerational contact and a wish to work with older people appeared to be important factors for promoting a positive relationship with older adults. Other sociodemographic and sociocultural factors, such as age and sex, were not related to ageism. Workload and work-related factors, such as stress or lack of personnel, might be associated with ageism, but few studies were found to be available to confirm these results. Conclusions: Ageism scores among professionals were low. Gerontological education and clinical and family experience could help reduce ageist attitudes toward older patients among health professionals. Full article