The role of television in perceptions of dangerousness
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/JMHTEP-02-2017-0006 |
| Date | 14 May 2018 |
| Published date | 14 May 2018 |
| Pages | 187-196 |
| Author | Louise Alexander,Jade Sheen,Nicole Rinehart,Margaret Hay,Lee Boyd |
| Subject Matter | Health & social care,Mental health,Mental health education |
The role of television in perceptions of
dangerousness
Louise Alexander, Jade Sheen, Nicole Rinehart, Margaret Hay and Lee Boyd
Abstract
Purpose –This critical review of historical and contemporary literature explores the role of television media in
the prevalence of stigma towards persons experiencing a mental health challenge. In addition to this, the
purpose of this paper is to examine the notion of perceived dangerousness, which is a concept where
persons with mental illness are thought by others to be inherently dangerous.
Design/methodology/approach –A vigorous search of databases was undertaken for articles published
between 2000 and 2016. Some seminal literature prior to 2000 was used to compare historical data with
current literature. In total, 1,037 publications were reviewed against inclusion criteria.
Findings –While mental illness stigma has received much attention in the literature, television media and
public perceptions of dangerousness have not. While these concepts are complex and multi-factorial, what
we do understand is that approaches to address stigma have been largely unsuccessful, and that persons
experiencing mental health challenges continue to be significantly disadvantaged.
Practical implications –Implications to practice for clinicians working in mental health on this issue have not
been adequately explored within the literature. While media guidelines assist journalists to make informed
choices when they portray mental health issues in television news, there are no such guidelines to inform
drama television viewing.
Originality/value –Significantly, television’s role in perpetuation of perceptions of dangerousness has not
been adequately explored as a combined co-occurring factor associated with the stigmatisation and
avoidance of persons experiencing a mental health challenge. In an era when mental health challenges are on
the rise, it is of great importance that we collectively seek to minimise negative impacts and improve the
experiences of those with a mental health challenge through addressing stigma both individually and in
television media.
Keywords Stigma, Mental illness, Impacts of stigma, Perceived dangerousness, Television media
Paper type Literature review
Introduction
The concept of stigma dates back in history over centuries and has been described as a “blotch”
on an individual’s character which dishonours them on the basis of characteristics associated
with that disorder or feature, and often results in shame and segregation (King et al., 2007;
Kooken et al., 2014; Farina and Ring, 1965; Goffman, 1963b). Phelan (2005) suggests that
popular social beliefs associate these “branded”individuals with objectionable characteristics,
thus separating them from those perceived as “normal”. Unfortunately the follow-on from this is
the tendency to segregate these labelled individuals, who as a result often experience prejudice
and inequity. Stigmatised individuals may worry about how others perceive them, resulting in a
reduction in self-esteem and confidence (King et al., 2007). Arboleda-Flórez and Stuart (2012)
describe stigma as a “feeling of being negatively differentiated”(p. 458) resulting in a power
disparity between the stigmatiser and stigmatised. Individuals who stigmatise often make these
assumptions swiftly; passing judgements and grouping anticipated or expected behaviour they
have associated (often incorrectly) with an illness or condition (Corrigan et al., 2003). Stigma is
applied to numerous illnesses (such as HIV/AIDS) and by association, those persons suffering
from the illness are also stigmatised.
Received 13 February 2017
Revised 24 April 2017
9 October 2017
Accepted 10 November 2017
Louise Alexander is a Lecturer
in Mental Health Nursing
at the School of Nursing,
Midwifery and Paramedicine,
Australian Catholic University,
Melbourne, Australia.
Jade Sheen and
Nicole Rinehart are both based
at the School of Psychology,
Deakin University,
Melbourne, Australia.
Margaret Hay is the Director at
Monash Institute for Health and
Clinical Education, Faculty of
Medicine, Nursing and Health
Sciences, Monash University,
Melbourne, Australia.
Lee Boyd is based at Cabrini
Institute, Melbourne, Australia.
DOI 10.1108/JMHTEP-02-2017-0006 VOL. 13 NO. 3 2018, pp. 187-196, © Emerald Publishing Limited, ISSN 1755-6228
j
THE JOURNAL OF MENTALHEALTH TRAINING, EDUCATION AND PRACTICE
j
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