Ethnic identity and mental health stigma among Black adults in the United States

Background Mental illness stigma is a barrier to engagement in mental health services. This study assesses our hypothesis that specific ethnic identity dimensions influences mental health behavior including stigma. Methodology We performed an online cross sectional observational study among Black adults (n=248, ages 18–65). We examined the relationship between an individual's approach to their racial identity in the community and stigma behavior towards mental health; generalized linear models were performed. We assessed demographic characteristics as moderators of the primary association. Results Black adults with higher centrality reported lower past stigma behavior (RR=1.57, CI: 1.11–2.21, P=0.01), but higher future intended stigma behavior (RR=0.93, CI: 0.88–0.99, P=0.02). Majority of respondents reported high centrality and high assimilation; however, assimilation did not appear to correlate with mental health stigma behavior. Age, education and ethnicity appeared to have a limited moderating effect on the association between centrality and stigma behavior. Conclusions Centrality was associated with mental health stigma behavior. By understanding the intersecting characteristics that may increase the likelihood for mental illness stigma, we will be better able to reduce mental illness stigma and optimize engagement in mental health services.