Research Article

Abstract

Mental illness is increasingly prevalent among employees, but little is known about how these individuals are perceived at work. Using the stereotype content model as a framework, we investigated warmth and competence stereotypes associated with employees with anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder. Employees with these disorders were perceived to be low in warmth and competence, and stereotypes about individuals with anxiety were relatively more positive than those with depression or bipolar. This study also proposed and tested the extent to which stereotypes predicted work‐related social distancing intentions. We found that two characteristics moderated this relationship: gender and social dominance orientation. We discuss practical and theoretical implications as they pertain to improving the experiences and well‐being of employees with mental illness.

Faculty Members

• Kayla B. Follmer - Perdue School of Business Salisbury University
• Kisha S. Jones - Department of Psychology The Pennsylvania State University

Themes

• Social distancing in the workplace
• Perceptions of employees with mental illness
• Gender and social dominance orientation as moderating factors
• Implications for employee well-being and workplace experiences
• Impact of mental health on workplace behavior
• Stereotypes of warmth and competence

Categories

• Counseling and applied psychology nec
• Area, ethnic, cultural, gender, and group studies
• Behavioral neuroscience
• Social sciences
• Health sciences
• Counseling and applied psychology
• Health services research
• Public health, general
• Psychology
• Research and experimental psychology
• Social psychology
• Industrial and organizational psychology
• Public health
• Area, ethnic, cultural, gender, and group studies nec
• Sociology, general
• Sociology, demography, and population studies
• Sociology, demography, and population studies nec