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Depression is one of the leading causes of disability in Chile and significantly affects adults' well-being and social participation. Despite its high prevalence, depression stigma has been scarcely studied in the country. Because its manifestations vary across sociocultural contexts, understanding how it is configured in Chile is essential for developing contextually relevant interventions. Within this framework, depression stigma is examined through its core components -stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination- by analyzing the beliefs, emotions, and behaviors directed toward people living with depression The aim of this study is to explore, from the perspective of Chilean adults, the socially shared beliefs about people living with depression, as well as the emotions and behaviors directed toward them, and to examine the extent to which these contents are understood as expressions of depression stigma.

A qualitative study was conducted using purposive sampling and minimum group representativeness criteria based on gender, socioeconomic status, and history of depression. Sixty-six adults from three regions of Chile took part in individual semi-structured interviews. Interviews were transcribed, reviewed, returned to participants for checking, and coded by two independent coders. Data were then analyzed using a deductive-inductive content analysis approach supported by Atlas.ti, and findings were triangulated.

Findings were organized into three analytical macro-categories - beliefs, emotions, and behaviors directed toward people with depression - consistent with the cognitive, affective, and behavioral components of stigma described in the literature. Within beliefs, contents related to affective characteristics, behavioral characteristics, and dispositional attributions associated with people with depression emerged. Within emotions, compassionate emotions, defensive and discomfort-related responses, and affective disconnection were identified. Within behaviors, overprotection, social distancing, invalidation and judgment emerged, along with interaction scripts based on avoidance or support.

Depression stigma in Chile is configured through contents that, to varying degrees, are understood as stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination. Beliefs combine elements linked both to mental health literacy and to stereotypes; emotions are primarily interpreted as expressions of prejudice; and behaviors reflect both subtle and overt forms of discrimination. Additionally, some themes showed divergent interpretations among participants, particularly between those with and without a history of depression. Taken together, these findings contribute to a better understanding of how this phenomenon is structured in the Chilean context and provide input for the development of culturally relevant assessment instruments and intervention strategies.