Labels Impact on Stigma and Evaluation of Generalized Anxiety Disorder Stigma Scale in aSwedish Sample

Sammanfattning: This study aimed to examine how variants in diagnostic labels might alter stigma toward Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) sufferers and secondly, to evaluate an existing scale (GASS) designed to measure that stigma. Data was collected from Swedish university students (N=447) where the impact of labeling upon stigma was measured by manipulating the presence and content of a label. Psychometric properties of the GASS were investigated and compared to the properties reported by the developers of the scale. Due to conflicting findings, further examination appears necessary. Results revealed that the presence of a general label (diagnosis cluster) reduced stigma opposed to the absence of a label. Conclusion was drawn that GAD sufferers should specify their problems with a general label to reduce stigma held toward them.