TRANSCULTURAL PERSPECTIVES OF MENTAL ILLNESS STIGMA ACROSS RACE, ETHNICITY, AND GENDER AMONG ADOLESCENTS IN TEXAS

Purpose: Mental illness (MI) stigma is a significant barrier to seeking mental health treatment. Whether these stigma-related attitudes are distributed evenly across race, ethnicity, and gender in adolescent populations is unknown. Understanding these patterns early in the life course can help identify specific cultural considerations when planning and implementing public anti-stigma efforts. Furthermore, it may help reduce disparities in treatment. The current study examines race, ethnicity, and gender differences in MI-stigma longitudinally among adolescents. Methods: An ethnically and socioeconomically diverse sample (N=319) from Texas (2011-2015) completed self-administered surveys in sixth- and eighth-grade that assessed MI-stigma. Participants also responded to similar questions about adolescent vignette characters described as having bipolar (Julia) and social anxiety (David) disorder. Linear regression models adjusting for personal and family characteristics examined race, ethnic, and gender differences in MI-stigma using an intersectional framework. Race, ethnicity, and gender were combined to generate composite identities (e.g., Latino boys or non-Latino black girls). Outcomes examined included: 1) knowledge/positive attitudes; 2) awareness/action; 3) social distance from peers with MI; and 4) avoidance/discomfort of persons with MI. Similar vignette-based outcomes were examined including if Julia/ David is a bad person, if their condition would improve with treatment, and desired social distance from the character. Multiple comparison tests between race, ethnicity, and gender composite variables showed all significant differences across groups occurred with non-Latina white girls as the referent. Results: In sixth-grade, non-Latino black boys and Latina girls reported less MI-related knowledge/positive attitudes and awareness/ action compared to non-Latina white girls. While Latino boys reported significantly greater avoidance/discomfort compared to non-Latina white girls, non-Latino black boys and Latina girls desired more social distance from people with MI. These patterns persisted in eighth-grade, though only significant among Latino boys compared to non-Latina white girls for the avoidance/discomfort outcome. For the vignette-based outcomes in sixth-grade, non-Latino black boys compared to non-Latina white girls were more likely to believe each character was a bad person. Compared to non-Latina white girls, non-Latino black boys and Latino