Multiple heroes behind one mask

Superhero media is said to have the potential to challenge stereotypes and empower marginalized groups. However it has not shied away from gendered and stigmatizing portrayals, including sensationalized acts of mental illness. Superhero media started out as comics where women were often put in secondary roles, needing to be saved by male heroes or serving as objectified, fetishized, love interests (Hanley, 2021, p.11). Superhero media later adapted it comics to the big screen. Where Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), famously took the stage in Shyamalan's Split (2016), including an alter that depicted a violent superhuman. DID however is a trauma-related disruption of two or more personality states in ones identity to serve as a defense mechanism. Harmful portrayals of this disorder in media therefore spark controversy within the community. Furthermore, these misrepresentations of mental health disorders and integrated sexism, could influence audience perceptions. Socially conscious generation Z (born between 1997 and 2012) often engages with issues of mental health (disorders), gender equality, and diversity, but has also grown up alongside superhero media. Therefore, this thesis will examine their reactions to two superheroes with DID comic-to-screen adaptations. Marvels Moon Knight (Slater, 2022) and DC's Doom Patrol (Carver, 2019-2023) were chosen for this. The central question of this thesis is: How do gendered portrayals of Dissociative Identity Disorder in superhero series shape how Generation Z's audiences view mental illness and gender? To answer this question a mixed-method of 3 focus groups with each 4-5 participants, and 8 separate interviews were held. There was an evenly divide between male and female participants of Generation Z (GenZ). Following this a thematic analysis of the (translated) transcripts was conducted which included a selection of keywords/phrases, followed by coding these into relevant segments, and later led to the development of themes. This revealed the following three theme's: (1) Gender bias in superhero character portrayals, (2) Gendered portrayals of DID, and (3) Misrepresentation of DID in media reinforces stigma. The findings of these themes revealed that male characters like Moon Knight's alters were perceived as controlled, and heroic, while in comparison Doom Patrol's alters were perceived as over-emotional, unstable, and overly sexualized. These interpretations reflected broader gender stereotypes specifically within DID, reinforced through perceived gendered differences of alter relationships, switching behavior, and trauma origin stories. Participants were confused and misinformed about DID, often stemming from their prior media exposure. This was reflected in their use of stigmatizing terms and their association of the disorder with violence and instability. However, many participants demonstrated strong media literacy, actively reflecting on these portrayals, questioning gender norms, and expressing a desire for more accurate and empathetic representation. In conclusion, this study shows that gendered depictions of DID in superhero media shape how GenZ audiences perceive both mental illness and gender. While problematic stereotypes continue to influence audience perception, the active media literacy of GenZ audiences indicates potential for more conscious and inclusive representations moving forward.