Anxiety and depressive disorders are among the most frequently diagnosed mental health problems in older adults. Despite the availability of effective treatments, underutilization of mental health care services is problematic and more pronounced in the older population compared to young adults. Stigma of mental illness may be one explanation for this underutilization as it may impede help-seeking and participation in treatment. The objective of this study was to compare older and young adults on different types of stigma related to depression and anxiety while adjusting for potentially confounding variables.

Young adults aged 18 to 36 years (n = 96) and older adults aged 60 years and over (n = 103) completed questionnaires measuring self-stigma, personal stigma, and perceived stigma related to anxiety and depression.

We found that older adults have higher levels of personal stigma but lower levels of perceived stigma and self-stigma than young adults.

The results provide some support for the idea that older adults have greater stigma for mental illness and suggest the importance of age-differentiated interventions for reducing the stigma of mental illness.