Causal Attributions and Perceptions of the Mentally Ill

BackgroundBiological or genetic models of mental illness are commonly expected to increase tolerance towards people with mental illness, by reducing notions of responsibility and blame.AimsTo investigate whether biogenetic causal attributions of mental illness among the general public are associated with more tolerant attitudes, whether such attributions are related to lower perceptions of guilt and responsibility, to what extent notions of responsibility are associated with rejection of people who are mentally ill, and how prevalent notions of responsibility are among the general public with regard to different mental disorders.MethodA systematic review was conducted of representative population studies examining attitudes towards people with mental illness and beliefs about such disorders.ResultsWe identified 33 studies relevant to this review. Generally, biogenetic causal attributions were not associated with more tolerant attitudes; they were related to stronger rejection in most studies examining schizophrenia. No published study reported on associations of biogenetic causal attributions and perceived responsibility. The stereotype of self-responsibility was unrelated to rejection in most studies. Public images of mental disorder are generally dominated by the stereotypes of unpredictability and dangerousness, whereas responsibility is less relevant.ConclusionsBiogenetic causal models are an inappropriate means of reducing rejection of people with mental illness.

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Goal Attainment and Treatment Compliance in a Cognitive-Behavioral Telephone Intervention for Family Caregivers of Persons with Dementia

GeroPsych ◽

10.1024/1662-9647/a000043 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 24 (3) ◽

pp. 115-125 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

Gabriele Wilz ◽

Denise Schinköthe ◽

Renate Soellner

Keyword(s):

Family Caregivers ◽

Mentally Ill ◽

Goal Attainment ◽

Outcome Measurement ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Treatment Success ◽

Treatment Compliance ◽

Control Group ◽

Telephone Intervention ◽

Effective Interventions

Introduction: The evaluation of effective interventions is still needed to prevent family caregivers of persons with dementia from becoming physically or mentally ill. However, in most existing intervention studies, primary outcomes are not well matched to the treatment goals. Method: A randomized controlled trial (N = 229) was conducted to compare a treatment group (CBT), a treated control group, and an untreated control group. In theses analyses we focused on the primary outcome measurement (GAS) as a perceived treatment success as well as treatment compliance and participants’ evaluation. Results: Results showed that 30.1% achieved complete goal attainment, 39.8% partial goal attainment, and 24.1% declared no change (overachievement 2.4%; deterioration 3.6%). Discussion: The intervention can be considered to have been successful.

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The Mental Health and Social Exclusion European Network

European Psychologist ◽

10.1027//1016-9040.5.3.245 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 5 (3) ◽

pp. 245-251 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Luigi Leonori ◽

Manuel Muñoz ◽

Carmelo Vázquez ◽

José J. Vázquez ◽

Mary Fe Bravo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

European Union ◽

Social Exclusion ◽

Mentally Ill ◽

Outcome Evaluation ◽

World Federation ◽

The European Union ◽

Capital Cities ◽

Homeless Mentally Ill ◽

The Impact

This report concerns the activities developed by the Mental Health and Social Exclusion (MHSE) Network, an initiative supported by the Mental Health Europe (World Federation of Mental Health). We report some data from the preliminary survey done in five capital cities of the European Union (Madrid, Copenhagen, Brussels, Lisbon, and Rome). The main aim of this survey was to investigate, from a mostly qualitative point of view, the causal and supportive factors implicated in the situation of the homeless mentally ill in Europe. The results point out the familial and childhood roots of homelessness, the perceived causes of the situation, the relationships with the support services, and the expectations of future of the homeless mentally ill. The analysis of results has helped to identify the different variables implicated in the social rupture process that influences homelessness in major European cities. The results were used as the basis for the design of a more ambitious current research project about the impact of the medical and psychosocial interventions in the homeless. This project is being developed in 10 capital cities of the European Union with a focus on the program and outcome evaluation of the health and psychosocial services for the disadvantaged.

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