Skip to main content
Top
Published in: Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research 5/2014

01-09-2014 | Point Of View

Do Stereotype Threats Affect Peer Providers?

Author: Hans Oh

Published in: Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research | Issue 5/2014

Login to get access

Abstract

Mental health organizations are increasingly employing peers, but not without set-backs. This brief commentary explores the possible adverse impact of stereotype threats on the performance of peer providers. A review of social psychology literature would suggest that at least some of these set-backs emerge from the peer’s apprehension about fulfilling some of the negative stereotypes that exist about people with mental illnesses. Additional training and supervision are indicated for both peer and non-peer staff members in order to reduce the salience of negative stereotypes in the workplace.
Literature
go back to reference Angermeyer, M. C., Matschinger, H., & Corrigan, P. W. (2004). Familiarity with mental illness and social distance from people with schizophrenia and major depression: Testing a model using data from a representative population survey. Schizophrenia Research, 69(2), 175–182.PubMedCrossRef Angermeyer, M. C., Matschinger, H., & Corrigan, P. W. (2004). Familiarity with mental illness and social distance from people with schizophrenia and major depression: Testing a model using data from a representative population survey. Schizophrenia Research, 69(2), 175–182.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Cadinu, M., Maass, A., Rosabianca, A., & Kiesner, J. (2005). Why do women underperform under stereotype threat? Evidence for the role of negative thinking. Psychological Science, 16(7), 572–578.PubMedCrossRef Cadinu, M., Maass, A., Rosabianca, A., & Kiesner, J. (2005). Why do women underperform under stereotype threat? Evidence for the role of negative thinking. Psychological Science, 16(7), 572–578.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Chinman, M. J., Rosenheck, R., Lam, J. A., & Davidson, L. (2000). Comparing consumer and nonconsumer provided case management services for homeless persons with serious mental illness. The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 188(7), 446–453.PubMedCrossRef Chinman, M. J., Rosenheck, R., Lam, J. A., & Davidson, L. (2000). Comparing consumer and nonconsumer provided case management services for homeless persons with serious mental illness. The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 188(7), 446–453.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Corrigan, P. W., & Watson, A. C. (2002). The paradox of self-stigma and mental illness. Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice, 9(1), 35–53. Corrigan, P. W., & Watson, A. C. (2002). The paradox of self-stigma and mental illness. Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice, 9(1), 35–53.
go back to reference Davidson, L., Chinman, M., Kloos, B., Weingarten, R., Stayner, D., & Tebes, J. K. (1999). Peer support among individuals with severe mental illness: a review of the evidence. Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice, 6(2), 165–187. Davidson, L., Chinman, M., Kloos, B., Weingarten, R., Stayner, D., & Tebes, J. K. (1999). Peer support among individuals with severe mental illness: a review of the evidence. Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice, 6(2), 165–187.
go back to reference Estroff, S. E. (1989). Self, identity, and subjective experiences of schizophrenia. Schizophrenia Bulletin, 15(2), 189–196.PubMedCrossRef Estroff, S. E. (1989). Self, identity, and subjective experiences of schizophrenia. Schizophrenia Bulletin, 15(2), 189–196.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Fisk, D., Rowe, M., Brooks, R., & Gildersleeve, D. (2000). Integrating consumer staff members into a homeless outreach project: Critical issues and strategies. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal, 23(3), 244–252.CrossRef Fisk, D., Rowe, M., Brooks, R., & Gildersleeve, D. (2000). Integrating consumer staff members into a homeless outreach project: Critical issues and strategies. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal, 23(3), 244–252.CrossRef
go back to reference Gates, L. B., & Akabas, S. H. (2007). Developing strategies to integrate peer providers into the staff of mental health agencies. Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research, 34(3), 293–306.PubMedCrossRef Gates, L. B., & Akabas, S. H. (2007). Developing strategies to integrate peer providers into the staff of mental health agencies. Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research, 34(3), 293–306.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Gates, L. B., & Akabas, S. H. (2011). Inclusion of people with mental health disabilities into the workplace: Accommodation as a social process. In I. Z. Schulz & E. S. Rogers (Eds.), Work accommodation and retention in mental health (pp. 375–391). New York: Springer. Gates, L. B., & Akabas, S. H. (2011). Inclusion of people with mental health disabilities into the workplace: Accommodation as a social process. In I. Z. Schulz & E. S. Rogers (Eds.), Work accommodation and retention in mental health (pp. 375–391). New York: Springer.
go back to reference Gates, L. B., Mandiberg, J. M., & Akabas, S. H. (2010). Building capacity in social service agencies to employ peer providers. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal, 34(2), 145–152.PubMedCrossRef Gates, L. B., Mandiberg, J. M., & Akabas, S. H. (2010). Building capacity in social service agencies to employ peer providers. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal, 34(2), 145–152.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Henry, J. D., Hippel, C., & Shapiro, L. (2010). Stereotype threat contributes to social difficulties in people with schizophrenia. British Journal of Clinical Psychology, 49(1), 31–41.PubMedCrossRef Henry, J. D., Hippel, C., & Shapiro, L. (2010). Stereotype threat contributes to social difficulties in people with schizophrenia. British Journal of Clinical Psychology, 49(1), 31–41.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Krendl, A. C., Richeson, J. A., Kelley, W. M., & Heatherton, T. F. (2008). The Negative Consequences of Threat A Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Investigation of the Neural Mechanisms Underlying Women’s Underperformance in Math. Psychological Science, 19(2), 168–175.PubMedCrossRef Krendl, A. C., Richeson, J. A., Kelley, W. M., & Heatherton, T. F. (2008). The Negative Consequences of Threat A Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Investigation of the Neural Mechanisms Underlying Women’s Underperformance in Math. Psychological Science, 19(2), 168–175.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Lauber, C., Nordt, C., Braunschweig, C., & Rossler, W. (2006). Do mental health professionals stigmatize their patients? Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, 113, 51–59.CrossRef Lauber, C., Nordt, C., Braunschweig, C., & Rossler, W. (2006). Do mental health professionals stigmatize their patients? Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, 113, 51–59.CrossRef
go back to reference Lord, C. G., & Saenz, D. S. (1985). Memory deficits and memory surfeits: Differential cognitive consequences of tokenism for tokens and observers. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 49(4), 918.PubMedCrossRef Lord, C. G., & Saenz, D. S. (1985). Memory deficits and memory surfeits: Differential cognitive consequences of tokenism for tokens and observers. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 49(4), 918.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Lord, C. G., Saenz, D. S., & Godfrey, D. K. (1987). Effects of perceived scrutiny on participant memory for social interactions. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 23(6), 498–517.CrossRef Lord, C. G., Saenz, D. S., & Godfrey, D. K. (1987). Effects of perceived scrutiny on participant memory for social interactions. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 23(6), 498–517.CrossRef
go back to reference Migdole, S., Tondora, J., Silva, M. A., Barry, A. D., Milligan, J. C., Mattison, E., et al. (2011). Exploring New Frontiers: Recovery-Oriented Peer Support Programming in a Psychiatric ED. American Journal of Psychiatric Rehabilitation, 14(1), 1–12.CrossRef Migdole, S., Tondora, J., Silva, M. A., Barry, A. D., Milligan, J. C., Mattison, E., et al. (2011). Exploring New Frontiers: Recovery-Oriented Peer Support Programming in a Psychiatric ED. American Journal of Psychiatric Rehabilitation, 14(1), 1–12.CrossRef
go back to reference Nestor, P., & Galletly, C. (2008). The employment of consumers in mental health services: Politically correct tokenism or genuinely useful? Australasian Psychiatry, 16(5), 344–347.PubMedCrossRef Nestor, P., & Galletly, C. (2008). The employment of consumers in mental health services: Politically correct tokenism or genuinely useful? Australasian Psychiatry, 16(5), 344–347.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Nordt, C., Rossler, W., & Lauber, C. (2006). Attitudes of mental health professionals towards people with schizophrenia and major depression. Schizophrenia Bulletin, 32, 709–714.PubMedCentralPubMedCrossRef Nordt, C., Rossler, W., & Lauber, C. (2006). Attitudes of mental health professionals towards people with schizophrenia and major depression. Schizophrenia Bulletin, 32, 709–714.PubMedCentralPubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Schmader, T., & Johns, M. (2003). Converging evidence that stereotype threat reduces working memory capacity. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 85(3), 440–452.PubMedCrossRef Schmader, T., & Johns, M. (2003). Converging evidence that stereotype threat reduces working memory capacity. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 85(3), 440–452.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Schulze, B. (2007). Stigma and mental health professionals: A review of the evidence on an intricate relationship*. International Review of Psychiatry, 19(2), 137–155.PubMedCrossRef Schulze, B. (2007). Stigma and mental health professionals: A review of the evidence on an intricate relationship*. International Review of Psychiatry, 19(2), 137–155.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Steele, C. M. (1997). A threat in the air How stereotypes shape intellectual identity and performance. American Psychologist; American Psychologist, 52(6), 613.CrossRef Steele, C. M. (1997). A threat in the air How stereotypes shape intellectual identity and performance. American Psychologist; American Psychologist, 52(6), 613.CrossRef
go back to reference Swarbrick, M., Murphy, A. A., Zechner, M., Spagnolo, A. B., & Gill, K. J. (2011). Wellness coaching: a new role for peers. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal, 34(4), 328–331.PubMedCrossRef Swarbrick, M., Murphy, A. A., Zechner, M., Spagnolo, A. B., & Gill, K. J. (2011). Wellness coaching: a new role for peers. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal, 34(4), 328–331.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Wahl, O. F. (1999). Mental health consumers’ experience of stigma. Schizophrenia Bulletin, 25(3), 467.PubMedCrossRef Wahl, O. F. (1999). Mental health consumers’ experience of stigma. Schizophrenia Bulletin, 25(3), 467.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Wright, E. R., Gronfein, W. P., & Owens, T. J. (2000). Deinstitutionalization, social rejection, and the self-esteem of former mental patients. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 41(1), 68–90.PubMedCrossRef Wright, E. R., Gronfein, W. P., & Owens, T. J. (2000). Deinstitutionalization, social rejection, and the self-esteem of former mental patients. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 41(1), 68–90.PubMedCrossRef
Metadata
Title
Do Stereotype Threats Affect Peer Providers?
Author
Hans Oh
Publication date
01-09-2014
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research / Issue 5/2014
Print ISSN: 0894-587X
Electronic ISSN: 1573-3289
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10488-013-0507-3

Other articles of this Issue 5/2014

Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research 5/2014 Go to the issue