| Objective: Symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) may be viewed negatively in a society like China where people are expected to show restraint and respect; this may be particularly true for children. In this study, stigmatizing attitudes and reactions towards children with ADHD were assessed in two samples of Chinese participants: (a) mental health or educational professionals, and (b) general public. Method: Three hundred forty-eight Chinese participants from Hong Kong provided ratings of their stereotype, perceived stigma, perceived dangerousness, and social distance to a child with either ADHD or asthma in a 2 x 2 x 2 (vignette conditions, vignette gender, and participant groups) factorial study. Multivariate analyses were used to investigate the variances between each of the independent and dependent variables. Correlations between the dependent variables, socio-demographics of participants, relevant knowledge, and attributions of the disorder were examined. Results : Children with ADHD were more likely to be stereotyped negatively, received more stigma, and were assumed to be more violent than their peers with asthma. The two groups of participants did not show significant differences in their prejudice of and discrimination towards children with ADHD. Further, a mental health label was associated with higher perception of stigma for ADHD. At the same time, however, specialized training about ADHD, exposure to children afflicted with such a problem, and educational level of the participants were not found to be related to stigma. Women, older individuals, married individuals, and parents were more likely to attach a negative stereotype to children with ADHD. Participants who held stronger Chinese values also tended to see children with ADHD negatively. Any attributions of ADHD were related to stereotypical attitudes and reactions. Conclusions : Regardless of specific knowledge and exposure to ADHD, individuals from a Chinese community tended to embrace prejudicial attitudes towards the children with this commonly diagnosed disorder than those with a physical problem. These findings highlight the need to enhance public education about anti-stigma and professional training for childcare practitioners and educators.;Keywords: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), attitudes, stigma, mental health professionals, Chinese, Hong Kong. |
