[A myth of Jekyll and Hyde?]

Abstract

Aim: People widely believe that schizophrenia goes along with a split personality. Little is known, however, about the consequences of this belief. In this study, we tested whether the split-personality-belief is associated with stigmatization of schizophrenia.

Methods: A sample of 416 persons was recruited from the general population. In an online-survey, the split-personality-belief, the stereotypes dangerousness and unpredictability/incompetence and individual discrimination (i. e. desired social distance) of persons diagnosed with schizophrenia were assessed by self-report.

Results: The split-personality-belief was associated with increased perceived dangerousness, unpredictability/incompetence and desired social distance. Both stereotypes mediated the relationship of split-personality-belief and desired social distance.

Conclusion: The split-personality-belief is associated with and may even contribute to stigmatiziation of persons with schizophrenia. Efforts to reduce stigmatization are likely to benefit from battling this misconception.