Table 2.

Coding framework for schizophrenia-related stigma.

Subcategory	Definition	Representative Weibo post (English translation)	Posts, n (%)
It is best to avoid people with schizophrenia so that you do not become vulnerable to schizophrenia	Beliefs that schizophrenia is an infectious disease	“It is said that schizophrenia is highly infectious...”	26 (0.52)
Schizophrenia is a sign of personal weakness	Beliefs that people with schizophrenia show a lack of strength and cannot sustain pressure	“...A mentally weak person is so vulnerable to schizophrenia...”	39 (0.77)
People with schizophrenia are dangerous	Beliefs that people with schizophrenia are likely to cause harm or injury	“When you need to talk to a person with schizophrenia, it is very important to pay attention to your safety!”	1354 (26.86)
People with schizophrenia are unpredictable	Beliefs that people with schizophrenia behave in a way that cannot be not easily predicted	“People with schizophrenia can suddenly turn crying into laughing (still with snots and tears of sadness)...”	2074 (41.14)
Schizophrenia is not a real medical illness	Beliefs that schizophrenia is a made up, rather than a medical disease	“Schizophrenia is really just an excuse to get a lesser sentence or to get out of prison”	21 (0.42)
People with schizophrenia could snap out of it if they wanted	Beliefs that people with schizophrenia can recover from their illness at will	“As you pray to the Buddha, your schizophrenia will be recovered soon...”	13 (0.26)
People would not tell anyone if they had schizophrenia	Beliefs that people should be ashamed of their own schizophrenia	“...Schizophrenia is God's punishment for family sins...”	115 (2.28)
People with schizophrenia are glorified	Beliefs that schizophrenia is a sign of noble souls or a quality of being graceful	“I think those with schizophrenia are charming...”	281 (5.57)
People with schizophrenia are self-centered	Beliefs that people with schizophrenia only think of their own advantage	“...Schizophrenia is the same as narcissism.”	48 (0.95)
People with schizophrenia are weird	Beliefs that people with schizophrenia behave in an unsettling way that is strikingly odd or unusual	“...Someone is throwing money like paper towels. Could this person have schizophrenia?”	929 (18.43)
People with schizophrenia are stupid	Beliefs that people with schizophrenia are silly or unwise	“The schizophrenia patients, the idiot people”	141 (2.80)