Cultural aspects of stigma toward people with serious mental illness: A meta-analysis of the association between individualism-collectivism and social distance.

In this meta-analysis, we explored the association between individualistic versus collectivist cultures and levels of social distance from people with serious mental illness (SMI). Utilizing the social distance scale to measure societal attitudes, we systematically reviewed and analyzed data from 71 samples (extracted from 48 studies), revealing that collectivist cultures exhibited higher levels of social distance from people with SMI than did individualistic cultures. A possible explanation for these findings is that collectivist cultures, emphasizing social cohesion and conformity, view SMI as a threat to societal harmony, whereas individualistic cultures, which prioritize autonomy and self-expression, tend to be more accepting of SMI. These findings underscore the importance of considering cultural context in stigma reduction efforts and indicate the need for tailored interventions to reduce stigma and subsequently enhance the quality of life for individuals with SMI. Addressing cultural differences in stigma toward serious mental illness through targeted, culturally sensitive interventions may improve patient engagement, reduce barriers to care, and enhance mental health outcomes.