Portrayals of schizophrenia by entertainment media: a content analysis of contemporary movies

Psychiatric Services : a Journal of the American Psychiatric Association
Patricia R Owen

Abstract

Critics of entertainment media have indicated that cinematic depictions of schizophrenia are stereotypic and characterized by misinformation about symptoms, causes, and treatment. The pervasiveness and nature of misinformation are difficult to ascertain because of the lack of empirically based studies of movies portraying schizophrenia. This study analyzed portrayals of schizophrenia in contemporary movies to ascertain prevalence of stereotypes and misinformation about schizophrenia. English-language movies featuring at least one main character with schizophrenia that were released for showing in theaters between 1990 and 2010 were analyzed for depictions of schizophrenia. Two researchers independently rated each character with a checklist that assessed demographic characteristics, symptoms and stereotypes, causation, and treatment. Forty-two characters from 41 movies were identified, a majority of whom were male and Caucasian. Most characters displayed positive symptoms of schizophrenia. Delusions were featured most frequently, followed by auditory and visual hallucinations. A majority of characters displayed violent behavior toward themselves or others, and nearly one-third of violent characters engaged in homicidal behavior....Continue Reading

Citations

Jun 19, 2013·Psychological Medicine·Richard P Bentall
Jan 28, 2016·Indian Journal of Psychiatry·Shivanshu ShrivastavaShaunak Ajinkya
May 18, 2016·The Journal of Behavioral Health Services & Research·Caitlin G AllenAshley Wennerstrom
Apr 2, 2015·The Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry·Timothy RiceLeo Sher
Dec 21, 2014·The Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry·Veena Kumari
Mar 24, 2017·Tidsskrift for den Norske lægeforening : tidsskrift for praktisk medicin, ny række·Helga Mannsåker
May 9, 2019·JMIR Mental Health·Manuela FerrariSrividya N Iyer
Jun 27, 2019·Journal of Mental Health·Linda Gilmore, Brenda Hughes
Dec 5, 2019·Journal of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association·Guy M WeissingerBridgette M Brawner
May 12, 2016·Early Intervention in Psychiatry·Katharine ChisholmMax Birchwood
Jun 11, 2020·Journal of Interpersonal Violence·Michelle N HarrisBruce G Link

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