When Faced with the Term “Schizophrenic,” Attitudes of Mental Health Professionals Shift

Practicing mental health counselors and counselors in training who received a survey referring to people with schizophrenia as “schizophrenic” had attitudes that were less benevolent, more authoritarian, and socially restrictive, according to a study published in the Journal of Counseling & Development.

The study, researchers advised, provides evidence beyond the theoretical for eliminating the term “schizophrenic” in practice settings.

“Language matters,” said lead author Darcy Haag Granello, PhD, of The Ohio State University. “The words we use can either reduce stigma and improve the quality of care that our clients receive, or our words can make counselors less likely to treat their clients with basic human dignity and respect.”

The study involved 251 practicing mental health counselors and counselors in training who received an instrument to gauge their attitudes toward people with schizophrenia. Half randomly received a modified version of the Community Attitudes Toward the Mentally Ill survey that used the term “schizophrenic,” and half randomly received a version that used the term “person with schizophrenia.” Participants responded to questions regarding their beliefs about schizophrenia and people with the condition.

Those who received the survey that used the term “schizophrenic” scored significantly higher on authoritarianism (seeing patients as inferior and requiring coercive handling) as well as social restrictiveness (the need to maintain social distance because of danger) compared with their peers who received the survey that used the term “person with schizophrenia.” Participants who encountered the term “schizophrenic” also scored significantly lower on benevolence, or kindness.

“The take-home message is clear — all people, even mental health professionals, are affected by the words and labels that we use,” Dr Haag Granello said. “We now have empirical evidence that taking the time to utter a few more syllables and include the word ‘person’ has real potential to make a difference in the lives of our clients.”

References

Haag Granello D, Gorby SR. It’s time for counselors to modify our language: it matters when we call our clients schizophrenics versus people with schizophrenia. J Couns Dev. 2021;99(4):452-461. doi: 10.1002/jcad.12397

Study results support eliminating the term “schizophrenic” from clinical practice. News release. Wiley. September 22, 2021. Accessed September 24, 2021.