scholarly journals Causal beliefs and attitudes to people with schizophrenia

2005 ◽  
Vol 186 (4) ◽  
pp. 331-334 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthias C. Angermeyer ◽  
Herbert Matschinger
Keyword(s):  
Mental Illness ◽  
Social Distance ◽  
Positive Relationship ◽  
Mental Health Literacy ◽  
Causal Beliefs ◽  
Federal Republic Of Germany ◽  
Population Surveys ◽  
People With Mental Illness ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Beliefs And Attitudes

BackgroundIt is a widely shared belief that an increase in mental health literacy will result in an improvement of attitudes towards people with mental illness.AimsTo examine how the German public's causal attributions of schizophrenia and their desire for social distance from people with schizophrenia developed over the 1990s.MethodA trend analysis was carried out using data from two representative population surveys conducted in the Länder constituting the former Federal Republic of Germany in 1990 and 2001.ResultsParallel to an increase in the public's tendency to endorse biological causes, an increase in the desire for social distance from people with schizophrenia was found.ConclusionsThe assumption underlying current anti-stigma programmes that there is a positive relationship between endorsing biological causes and the acceptance of people with mental illness appears to be problematic.

Mental health literacy and attitude towards people with mental illness: A trend analysis based on population surveys in the eastern part of Germany

2009 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 225-232 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.C. Angermeyer ◽  
A. Holzinger ◽  
H. Matschinger
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Trend Analysis ◽  
Social Distance ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Mental Health Literacy ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Population Surveys ◽  
People With Mental Illness

AbstractBackgroundThere is growing evidence that mental health literacy has improved in western countries in recent years. The question arises as to whether this trend is paralleled by an improvement of attitudes towards people with mental illness.AimTo examine the development of mental health literacy and the desire for social distance towards people with schizophrenia and major depressive disorder in Eastern Germany over a time period of eight years.MethodA trend analysis was carried out using data from two population surveys conducted in the eastern part of Germany in 1993 and 2001. By means of a fully structured interview psychiatric labelling, causal beliefs, help-seeking and treatment recommendations as well as the desire for social distance was assessed.ResultsWhile there was an increase in the mental health literacy of the public, the desire for social distance from people with major depression and schizophrenia remained unchanged or even increased.ConclusionsThe assumption underlying a number of anti-stigma campaigns, namely that educating people about mental disorders may automatically lead to the improvement of their attitudes towards the mentally ill, appears questionable.

scholarly journals Lay Beliefs about Treatments for People with Mental Illness and Their Implications for Antistigma Strategies

2005 ◽  
Vol 50 (12) ◽  
pp. 745-752 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christoph Lauber ◽  
Nordt Carlos ◽  
Rössler Wulf
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Social Distance ◽  
Mental Health Literacy ◽  
Belief Systems ◽  
People With Mental Illness ◽  
Evidence Based Treatments ◽  
Social Treatment ◽  
Nonmedical Treatment

Objective: First, to describe factors influencing the public's attitude toward treatment recommendations for people with mental illness; second, to identify coherent belief systems about the helpfulness of specific interventions; and third, to discuss how to ameliorate mental health literacy and antistigma strategies. Method: Participants of a representative telephone survey in the general population ( n = 1737) were presented with a vignette depicting a person with either schizophrenia or depression. From a list of suggestions, they were asked to recommend treatments for this person. We used a factor analysis to group these proposals and used the factors as the dependent variables in a multiple regression analysis. Results: Treatment suggestions are summarized in 4 groups, each characterizing a specific therapeutic approach: 1) psychopharmacological proposals (that is, psychotropic drugs), 2) therapeutic counselling (from a psychologist or psychiatrist or psychotherapy), 3) alternative suggestions (such as homeopathy), and 4) social advice (for example, from a social worker). Medical treatments were proposed by people who had a higher education, who had a positive attitude toward psychopharmacology, who correctly recognized the person depicted in the vignette as being ill, who were presented with the schizophrenia vignette, who kept social distance, and who had contact with mentally ill people. The variables could explain alternative and social treatment proposals only to a small extent. Conclusions: The public's beliefs about treatment for people with mental illness are organized into 4 coherent systems, 2 of which involve evidence-based treatments. Medical treatment proposals are influenced by adequate mental health literacy; however, they are also linked to more social distance toward people with mental illness. Additionally, efforts to better explain nonmedical treatment suggestions are needed. Implications for further antistigma strategies are discussed.

Changes in the perception of mental illness stigma in Germany over the last two decades

2014 ◽  
Vol 29 (6) ◽  
pp. 390-395 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthias C. Angermeyer ◽  
Herbert Matschinger ◽  
Mauro G. Carta ◽  
Georg Schomerus
Keyword(s):  
Mental Illness ◽  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Federal Republic ◽  
Mental Illness Stigma ◽  
Public Stigma ◽  
Federal Republic Of Germany ◽  
Population Surveys ◽  
People With Mental Illness ◽  
German States ◽  
Personal Attitudes

AbstractPurposeTo examine the evolution of the perception of the stigma attached to mental illness in Germany since 1990 up to the present.Subjects and methodsPopulation surveys were conducted in the old German States (former Federal Republic of Germany) in 1990, 2001, and 2011. The perception of stigma attached to people with mental illness was assessed with the help of Link's perceived discrimination and devaluation scale.ResultsIn the 2011 survey, less mental illness stigma was perceived by respondents than in the previous surveys. In the eyes of the German public, the devaluation and rejection of people with mental illness has substantially decreased since 1990.DiscussionThe perception of a decline of the stigmatization is in contrast to the development of the German public's attitudes towards persons with mental disorders, which remained unchanged or even worsened.ConclusionPerceived and personal attitudes towards persons with mental illness have developed differently, and it remains to be seen whether perceptions of less public stigma will ultimately be followed by improved personal attitudes.

scholarly journals Attitudes toward mentally ill patients: a comparison between Romanian and International Medical Students

2017 ◽  
Vol 90 (4) ◽  
pp. 401-406
Author(s):  
Codruta Alina Popescu ◽  
Anca Dana Buzoianu ◽  
Soimita Mihaela Suciu ◽  
Sebastian Mihai Armean
Keyword(s):  
Mental Illness ◽  
Medical Students ◽  
Social Distance ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Mentally Ill ◽  
Negative Attitude ◽  
Personal Contact ◽  
Future Health ◽  
People With Mental Illness ◽  
Stigmatizing Attitudes

Background. Stigmatizing attitudes to mental illness, and especially schizophrenia, are not limited to the general population but are also common among health professionals. Health professionals are in a position to model health related attitudes both in the general public and patients. Medical students are an interesting group to focus upon, since they are future health professionals and correcting stigmatizing attitudes is still possible during their educational curriculum.Methods. This study investigated the attitude toward mental illness in medical students at the Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy. We surveyed first year students, since they have not yet received specific classes or internships in psychiatry; 322 students from the Romanian and English sections participated, representing a response rate of 94.7%. The questionnaire consisted of the Romanian and English versions of Link's Social Distance Scale towards people with mental illness scale.Results. Overall, medical students had a relatively negative attitude towards people with mental illness, with moderate social distance and stereotypical attitudes. The level of personal contact with people with mental illness was correlated with positive attitudes. International students had scored lower then Romanian students on social distance toward mentally ill patients.Conclusions. Medical education can play an important role in the attitudes of students toward mental illness. Medical students have stigmatizing attitudes about mentally ill patients. Personal contact with people suffering from mental illness might contribute to a positive attitude from the medical students toward mentally ill patients.

Emotional reactions to people with mental illness

2010 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 26-32 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthias C. Angermeyer ◽  
Anita Holzinger ◽  
Herbert Matschinger
Keyword(s):  
Mental Illness ◽  
Mental Disorder ◽  
Social Distance ◽  
Emotional Response ◽  
Substantial Effect ◽  
Emotional Reactions ◽  
The Public ◽  
People With Mental Illness ◽  
Stigma Of Mental Illness ◽  
Different Cultures

Aims– Based on findings from population surveys, we provide an overview of the public's emotional reactions to people with mental illness.Methods– A literature search for populations studies using measures of emotional response to people with mental illness was carried out. In addition, data on the public's emotional reactions, originating from representative surveys conducted in Germany in the years 1990, 1993 and 2001, were analysed.Results– Positive emotional reactions to people with mental illness are most prevalent, followed by fear and anger. This pattern appears relatively stable across different cultures. In recent years, the emotional response of the public remained unchanged or even deteriorated. The public seems to react quite differently to people with different mental disorders. Emotional reactions have a substantial effect on the desire for social distance. The association between familiarity with mental disorder and the desire for social distance is to a considerable extent mediated through emotions.Conclusions– The public's emotional reactions to people with mental disorder are relatively under-researched. More research may help better understand the complexities of the stigma surrounding mental illness. Interventions aimed at reducing the stigma of mental illness may benefit from paying more attention to emotions.

scholarly journals Medical and nursing students' attitudes to people with mental illness in Nigeria: a tale of two teaching hospitals

2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 43-45 ◽  
Author(s):  
Theddeus Iheanacho ◽  
Elina Stefanovics ◽  
Victor Makanjuola ◽  
Carla Marienfeld ◽  
Robert Rosenheck
Keyword(s):  
Mental Illness ◽  
Nursing Students ◽  
Social Acceptance ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Teaching Hospitals ◽  
Psychiatric Education ◽  
People With Mental Illness ◽  
Students Attitudes ◽  
External Causes ◽  
Beliefs And Attitudes

This study compared beliefs about and attitudes to mental illness among medical and nursing students at two teaching hospitals in Nigeria with very different levels of psychiatric instructional capacity. Factor analysis of responses to a 43-item self-report questionnaire identified three domains: social acceptance of people with mental illness; belief in non-superstitious causation of mental illness; and stress, trauma and poverty as external causes of mental illness, with entitlement to employment rights. Students at the hospital with a larger, functioning psychiatry department had significantly higher scores on all three factors. Culturally enshrined beliefs and attitudes about mental illness are not uncommon among medical trainees. The availability of psychiatric education and services may have a positive effect on beliefs and attitudes.

scholarly journals Social Distance from Mental Illness Among Counseling, Social Work, and Psychology Students and Helping Professionals

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 24-37
Author(s):  
Douglas R. Tillman ◽  
David D. Hof ◽  
Aiste Pranckeviciene ◽  
Auksė Endriulaitienė ◽  
Rasa Markšaitytė ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Social Work ◽  
Social Distance ◽  
Psychology Students ◽  
Helping Professionals ◽  
Negative Stereotypes ◽  
People With Mental Illness ◽  
Study Results ◽  
The Impact

Negative stereotypes of people with mental illness may lead to stigma of those with mental illness, impacting their self-confidence and willingness to seek mental health treatment. Few studies have looked at the health professional’s role and the impact they may have on the stigmatization process of people with mental illness. The purpose of this article was to better understand the concept of social distance among individuals in the helping professions of counseling, social work, and psychology. A total of 305 students and 95 professionals from counseling, social work and psychology participated in this study. Results revealed that counseling, social work, and psychology students, and helping professionals do not differ in their need for social distance from people with mental illness. Helping professionals reported significantly more social distance from people with mental health problems in close personal relationships, compared to their social relationships. In conclusion, there were no significant differences in social distance observed as a function of professional experience.

scholarly journals The Long-Term Effectiveness of Interventions Addressing Mental Health Literacy and Stigma of Mental Illness in Children and Adolescents: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 66 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandra Maria Freţian ◽  
Patricia Graf ◽  
Sandra Kirchhoff ◽  
Gloria Glinphratum ◽  
Torsten M. Bollweg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Social Distance ◽  
Mental Health Literacy ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Stigmatizing Attitudes

Objectives: This study aims to provide a systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature on the long-term effects of interventions addressing children’s and adolescents’ mental health literacy and/or stigmatizing attitudes.Methods: Articles in English or German published between January 1997 and May 2020 were retrieved from five databases, leading to a total of 4,375 original articles identified.Results: 25 studies were included after applying exclusion criteria, 13 of which were eligible for meta-analysis. The overall average of the follow-up period was about 5 months. Long-term improvements were sustained for mental health literacy, d = 0.48, 95% CI = (0.34, 0.62), as well as for stigmatizing attitudes, d = 0.30, 95% CI = (0.24, 0.36), and social distance, d = 0.16, 95% CI = (0.03, 0.29). The combination of educational and contact components within interventions led to worse results for mental health literacy, but not stigmatizing attitudes or social distance.Conclusion: Interventions targeting children and adolescents generally have a brief follow-up period of an average of 5 months. They show a stable improvement in mental health literacy, but are to a lesser degree able to destigmatize mental illness or improve social distance.

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