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Mental Health Stigma

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  • Prashant Bharadwaj
  • Mallesh M. Pai
  • Agne Suziedelyte

Abstract

Comparing self-reports to administrative data records on diagnosis and prescription drug use, we find that survey respondents under-report mental health conditions 36% of the time when asked about diagnosis and about 20% of the time when asked about prescription drug use. Survey respondents are significantly less likely to under-report other conditions such as diabetes or hypertension. This behavior is consistent with a model in which mental health illnesses are stigmatized and agents have incentives to hide such traits from others. We show that differential under-reporting of depression is correlated with age, gender, and ethnicity and that these characteristics also predict a lower probability of mental health treatment, suggesting that stigma can play an important role in determining health-seeking behavior.

Suggested Citation

  • Prashant Bharadwaj & Mallesh M. Pai & Agne Suziedelyte, 2015. "Mental Health Stigma," NBER Working Papers 21240, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:21240
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    JEL classification:

    • I1 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health

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