Exploration of stigma in understudied and high-
risk groups (such as minorities and adolescents) is
vital because these groups are less likely to receive
appropriate care (Department of Health and Human
Services, 1999). Stigma research in adolescents is
scarce and accounts for less than 4% of stigma
research (Link, Yang, Phelan, & Collins, 2004).Furthermore, adolescents hold high levels of stigma
toward mental disorders (Chandra & Minkovitz,
2006). Pinto-Foltz, Usui, and Logsdon (2007)
found that the stigma scores of 14- to 15-year-old
female adolescents were double that of female
young adults. Reducing stigma during adolescence
is important for early identification of illness, early
treatment, and increasing adolescents' comfort in
discussing mental disorders.