Maletta, Rosanna May 
ORCID: 0000-0001-9966-1594 and Vass, Victoria ORCID: 0000-0001-6771-871X
(2023)
A 20-year review comparing the use of 'schizophrenia' and 'psychosis' in UK newspapers from 2000 to 2019: Implications for stigma reduction.
SCHIZOPHRENIA RESEARCH, 251.
pp. 66-73.
Abstract
<h4>Background</h4>There have been increasing calls for schizophrenia to be renamed to reduce negative associations with the diagnosis. 'Psychosis' is one proposed alternative, yet some research suggests this has greater negative connotations. This study compared the use of both terms within UK newspapers longitudinally to assess which is more negatively portrayed in the media.<h4>Study design</h4>Using LexisLibrary News, six UK newspaper archives were searched for the terms 'schizophrenia' and 'psychosis' in articles published between 2000 and 2019; the included article total was n = 9802. Articles were analysed using Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count software.<h4>Study results</h4>A two-level multilevel model was created of newspaper articles nested within newspapers. Adding predictors revealed that diagnostic term was a significant predictor of the emotional tone of articles (β = -2.30, SE = 0.51, p < .001, 95 % CI -3.30 to -1.30), with 'psychosis' having a more negative tone than 'schizophrenia.' Tabloids were shown to have a significantly more negative tone than broadsheets (β = -9.32, SE = 1.04, p < .001, 95 % CI -11.36 to -7.28), and emotional tone of writing had become more negative over time (β = -0.26, SE = 0.04, p < .001, 95 % CI -0.34 to -0.18).<h4>Conclusions</h4>These findings suggest 'psychosis' is associated with greater negativity than 'schizophrenia' within UK newspapers, and may be a poor substitute term to reduce stigma. As article tone worsened for both diagnoses over time, increased stigma reduction campaigns are required to target negativity within the media.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | Mental health, Media, Stereotyping, Diagnostic labels |
| Divisions: | Faculty of Health and Life Sciences |
| Depositing User: | Symplectic Admin |
| Date Deposited: | 04 Jan 2023 13:40 |
| Last Modified: | 08 Feb 2023 21:17 |
| DOI: | 10.1016/j.schres.2022.12.012 |
| Open Access URL: | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.schres.2022.12.012 |
| Related URLs: | |
| URI: | https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3166838 |
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