Running head: DEPRESSION 1
Depression
Name
Institution
DEPRESSION 2
Depression
Thibodeau, R. (2019). Continuum Belief, Categorical Belief, and Depression Stigma:
Correlational Evidence and Outcomes of an Online Intervention.)Fisher Digital
Publications, 1-33. https://fisherpub.sjfc.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?
article=1026&context=psychology_facpub
The article,)Continuum Belief, Categorical Belief, and Depression Stigma: Correlational
Evidence and Outcomes of an Online Intervention, was written by Ryan Thibodeau in the year
2019. The author’s central idea in this document addresses the connection between people’s
beliefs and stigma resulting from depression. According to Thibodeau, people experiencing
mental health problems are devalued, face rejection, devaluation, and discrimination (Thibodeau,
2019). Such a public stigma limits their opportunities and ability to live a satisfiable life. The
article asserts that, if stigma can be reduced, it could be a vital way to impact mental health
around the world. However, factors such as grouping and categorization, fuel the condition of
mental illness since stigma gest manifested when the public views a specific group of people as
us versus them. Distinctness in society is such a barrier to promote mental health, according to
the authors. Some beliefs in the community predict stigma, for instance, those that are the
categorical difference.
In this article, the author points out that there are questions relating to stigma
interventions and reduction of effects. For instance, research on intervention has manipulated
continuum beliefs on the basis of schizophrenia. Continuum intervention might be an effective
approach for schizophrenia, given the degree of how people see other individuals as different.
However, it is highlighted that the approach could bear little fruit for a prevalent condition like
depression. To determine if people’s differences in the magnitude of change could predict
DEPRESSION 3
stigma, the author conducted research bearing on continuum intervention. A sample group of
people with different histories of depression completed measures of categorical belief linked to
stigma. The study was completed through online surveys where about 682 participants took the
study. By the use of two separate items, study participants were asked to indicate whether at
some point they have ever experienced depression. A depression scale to measure the frequency
of occurrence was used. Categorical and continuum beliefs were measured with a 6-item scale.
The result obtained from the findings showed that there was a link between continuum or
categorical belief and public stigma. Also, according to the study, interventions affected public
stigma among participants that had no history of depression (Thibodeau, 2019). Continuum
belief predicted self-stigma in ways that link to public stigma. People with a history of
depression and embraced a continuum view of the struggle, were less likely to report self-stigma.
On the other hand, although interventions on depression show a self-reported change, it was not
clear whether there was a change in belief.
The author in this article has done credible work to point out the relationship between a
mental health disease like depression, and beliefs that could induce effects like a stigma.
Notably, this document informs that stigma is prevalent among people with mental conditions.
The level of stigma is likely to be influenced by people’s belief in society or how patients
themselves believe. Methods applied in this document were accurate, and procedures adhered to
the correct standards like obtaining participants’ consent. The validity of the evidence presented
in this article is based on current studies and hence leads to a valid conclusion. I agree with
authors because the stigma is pervasive in people with mental issues; more so, it is the barrier to
effective interventions. Education and increased awareness of mental illness should be adopted
as approaches to help people overcome the burden of fear in seeking psychological help.
