The Effects of In-Group Identification on College Students’ Stigmatizing Attitudes Toward Peers With Mental Illness

Students with mental illness can feel stigmatized by their peers and may also have less perceived social support. However, it is thought that people are more likely to view someone more favorably if they perceive them as part of their in-group when sharing a common identity. Thus, an online survey was administered to 152 undergraduate students to investigate whether high in-group identification versus low in-group identification will lead to a more favorable view of a peer regardless of their mental health state and if a peer with stress would still be favored over a peer with mental illness. First, participants rated group identification with a hypothetical peer describing their Hunter College, CUNY experience in an audio clip. Then, participants heard the peer either reveal a mental health state of mental illness or stress. Finally, they rated perceived similarity and social distance toward the peer. Results of a factorial multivariate analysis of variance indicated significant main effects for both in-group identification, F(2, 147) = 8.01, p < .001, partial η2 = .10, and the peer’s mental health state, F(2, 147) = 8.00, p = .001, partial η2 = .10. Although the peer with mental illness was viewed less favorably than the peer with stress, irrespective of group identification, high in-group identification still led to a more positive evaluation of the peer than low in-group identification. These results are important for understanding how increasing awareness of group identification may reduce stigma toward students with mental illness and ultimately reduce barriers to care.

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Remote learning and students’ mental health during the Covid-19 pandemic: A mixed-method enquiry

Prospects ◽

10.1007/s11125-020-09530-w ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Suzanne Lischer ◽

Netkey Safi ◽

Cheryl Dickson

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Health Status ◽

University Students ◽

Undergraduate Students ◽

Mixed Method ◽

Online Survey ◽

Current Situation ◽

Distance Teaching ◽

Learning Conditions ◽

Support Students

AbstractThe disruption caused by Covid-19 in the educational sector may last longer than originally predicted. To better understand the current situation, this article analyses the mental health status of university students during the pandemic and investigates the learning conditions needed to support students. The sample included 557 undergraduate students who took part in an online survey. Overall, the students reported coping well during lockdown but indicated that lecturers were challenged by distance teaching, which created some stress for the students.

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Time Waits for No One: Longitudinal Study on the Effects of an Anti-Stigma Seminar on the Psychology Student Population

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18105441 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (10) ◽

pp. 5441

Author(s):

Luca Pingani ◽

Sara Evans-Lacko ◽

Sandra Coriani ◽

Silvia Ferrari ◽

Maria Filosa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Mental Illness ◽

Online Survey ◽

Student Population ◽

Post Intervention ◽

People With Mental Illness ◽

T1 And T2 ◽

One Year ◽

Intended Behaviour

The primary aim is to describe the changes in the knowledge of mental health conditions, the attitudes toward the mentally ill, and the intended behaviour towards people with mental illness among the entire student population of the third year of a degree course in Psychology. A total of 570 students attended a seminar on stigma towards mental illness and were invited to complete an online survey which collected data on sociodemographic characteristics and three validated questionnaires evaluating different aspects of stigma at three different time points (pre-intervention, post-intervention, and at one year follow up). A total of 253 students (44.39%) completed the questionnaires at t0, t1, and t2. The mean age of the sample was 23.7 (SD = ±5.89), and 86.96% (n = 220) were females. Between t0 and t1, a statistically significant improvement was observed for all three outcomes, while the intended behaviour outcome was no longer significant between t1 and t2 (Z = −0.70; p = 0.48). Females and who participated live at the seminar maintained a significant knowledge of mental illness and a better attitude toward community mental health care. The effects of the seminar focused on reducing stigma tended to diminish over time at one year follow-up, particular in relation to intended behaviour.

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Embitterment as a Specific Mental Health Reaction during the Coronavirus Pandemic

Psychopathology ◽

10.1159/000517447 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-10

Author(s):

Beate Muschalla ◽

Clio Vollborn ◽

Anke Sondhof

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Mental Illness ◽

Online Survey ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Affective State ◽

Well Being ◽

Health Problems ◽

Social Consequences ◽

High Rate ◽

Perceived Injustice

Introduction: Embitterment can occur as a reaction to perceived injustice. During the pandemic and restrictions in daily living due to infection risk management, a range of many smaller or severe injustices have occurred. Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate what characterizes persons with high embitterment, mental illness, embitterment and mental illness, and those without embitterment or mental health problems. Methods: We conducted an online survey including persons from the general population in November 2020 and December 2020, the phase during which a second lockdown took place, with closed shops, restaurants, cultural and activity sites. 3,208 participants (mean age 47 years) gave self-ratings on their present well-being, burdens experienced during the pandemic, embitterment, wisdom, and resilience. Results: Embitterment occurred among 16% of the sample, which is a high rate in comparison with 4% during pre-pandemic times. Embitterment was weakly correlated with unspecific mental well-being. There were more persons with embitterment than those with embitterment and a mental health problem. Persons with embitterment reported less coronavirus-related anxiety than persons without embitterment. However, embittered persons reported more social and economic burdens and more frequent experiences of losses (job loss and canceling of medical treatments). Embittered persons perceive their own wisdom competencies on a similar level as persons with mental health problems or persons without mental health problems. Conclusion: Embitterment is a specific potentially alone-standing affective state, which is distinguishable from general mental health and coping capacities (here: wisdom). The economic and social consequences of pandemic management should be carefully recognized and prevented by policy.

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IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON MENTAL HEALTH AND CONCERNS REGARDING CURRICULUM IN FINAL YEAR MBBS STUDENTS

10.36106/ijsr/9200660 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 11-13

Author(s):

Mruthyunjaya N ◽

Vaibhavi PS ◽

Vinod Kulkarni G

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Undergraduate Students ◽

Sleep Disturbances ◽

Online Survey ◽

Clinical Skills ◽

Psychiatric Morbidity ◽

P Value ◽

Medical Undergraduate ◽

Spss Software ◽

Study Participants

Background: The current SARS CoV-2 pandemic has affected the mental health of various sectors of the country while it has also jeopardised the education system. In this background the present study was done to explore the mental health of the nal year medical undergraduate students and their concerns regarding the curriculum. Materials and Methods:An online survey was conducted among the nal year MBBS students in India and psychiatric morbidity was measured by the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21. A total of 83 complete responses out of 130 were received and the data was assessed using SPSS software. Results: Out of the 83 study participants, about 34.9% were depressed, about 39.5% and 32.9% were having anxiety and stress, respectively. Sleep disturbances were signicantly associated with depressive symptoms (p value - 0.0001) and those with stress (p value - 0.01) while change in appetite was also signicantly associated with stress (p value - 0.01). Conclusion: The current pandemic has led to growing concerns in the educational sector especially medical education where MBBS students are facing psychological distress along with newer challenges in their academics like distant education as against traditional bedside teaching for acquiring clinical skills.

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Levels and Prevalence of Mental Health Functioning in Canadian University Student-Athletes

Canadian Journal of Higher Education ◽

10.47678/cjhe.v48i2.188105 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 48 (2) ◽

pp. 149-168 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Krista J. Van Slingerland ◽

Natalie Durand-Bush ◽

Scott Rathwell

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Mental Illness ◽

Alcohol Use ◽

Student Athletes ◽

Online Survey ◽

Well Being ◽

Living Situation ◽

Mental Health Functioning ◽

Health Functioning ◽

The Impact

We examined the level and prevalence of mental health functioning (MHF) in intercollegiate student-athletes from 30 Canadian universities, and the impact of time of year, gender, alcohol use, living situation, year of study, and type of sport on MHF. An online survey completed in November 2015 (N = 388) and March 2016 (n = 110) revealed that overall, MHF levels were moderate to high, and more student-athletes were flourishing than languishing. MHF levels did not significantly differ across time based on gender, alcohol use, living situation, year of study, and type of sport. Eighteen percent reported a previous mental illness diagnosis and yet maintained moderate MHF across time. These findings support Keyes’ (2002) dual-continua model, suggesting that the presence of mental illness does not automatically imply low levels of well-being and languishing. Nonetheless, those without a previous diagnosis were 3.18 times more likely to be flourishing at Time 1 (November 2015).

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Attitudes surrounding the disclosure of mental illness

BJPsych Open ◽

10.1192/bjo.2021.767 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 (S1) ◽

pp. S288-S289

Author(s):

Brishti Sengupta ◽

Pritha Dasgupta

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Mental Illness ◽

General Population ◽

Online Survey ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Population Group ◽

Medical Professionals ◽

Health Issues ◽

Mental Health Issues ◽

Attitude Shift

AimsTo survey the effect of COVID-19 on mental health of both medical professionals and the general population, as well as attitudes surrounding the disclosure of mental illness.MethodAn online survey comprised of two questionnaires, one for medical professionals and one for the general population, were conducted via social media. Both questionnaires asked respondents of the effect of COVID-19 on their mental health, and the former asked respondents about the effect of COVID-19 on their patient group's mental health. The questionnaires went on to ask respondents about their attitudes to mental health disclosure in various scenarios, to varying groups of people. The general population group was also asked how they would react if someone else disclosed their mental illness to them.ResultThe questionnaire for the medical professionals gained 62 respondents and the one for the general population had 122 respondents, with responses from multiple nations. Overall, COVID-19 has affected everyone's mental health to a degree, and all groups had reservations about disclosing their mental health issues to others. The medical professionals were especially reluctant to disclose mental illness to their patients, but were more comfortable when it came to disclosing mental illness to colleagues. The general population, however, was much more reluctant to disclose mental health issues to their colleagues. The general population were, on the whole, willing to listen to and help anyone who came to them with mental health concerns. Both groups surveyed showed reluctance toward disclosure to the wider community.ConclusionCOVID-19 appears to significantly affect not only physical health, but mental health as well. There is at least some degree of stigma surrounding the disclosure of mental health issues. While most would be happy to help anyone who came to them with their mental health problems, there seems to be an attitude shift when people must contend with mental health issues of their own.

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Attitude & belief towards mental illness and psychiatry as a faculty among medical students at International Medical University, Malaysia

BJPsych Open ◽

10.1192/bjo.2021.362 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 (S1) ◽

pp. S125-S125

Author(s):

Debakanta Behera ◽

Ji Yen Ku

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Mental Illness ◽

Medical Education ◽

Medical Students ◽

Career Choice ◽

Online Survey ◽

Psychiatric Patients ◽

International Medical ◽

Early Exposure ◽

Medical University

AimsThird year Medical students from the International Medical University, Malaysia were assessed regarding their commonly held attitudes and beliefs for the mental illness in general as well as with respect to psychiatry as a faculty through a survey monkey based survey,BackgroundCommonly held perceptions and prejudices often can be overcame by education and early exposure to facts which also holds true with medical students and their attitude as well as expectations to psychiatry. Ever growing awareness regarding the Mental illness has helped but is unable to complete address the stigma and prejudices associated with it. Also Early exposure to psychiatry in medical education can provide a positive experience to medical students including germinating an interest in psychiatry as a career choice among the students.Method42 students of 3rd and 4th year medical school from International Medical University, Malaysia, some without any exposure to psychiatry, were participated in a survey created on a cloud based online survey link and responded to a questionnaire about the attitude and belief towards mental Illness as well as Psychiatry as a career choice. The results were analysed and data interpreted.ResultMost students (85%) though agreed that psychiatry is a rapidly expanding frontier of medicine sadly only 20% stated that it would be one of the top three career choice. Just under the 50% of the students stated that the psychiatric patients are more likely to harm others. About 95% felt that psychiatric consultations of patients with medical and surgical health problems would be helpful and 90% students shared that they would not feel embarrassed about someone from their family if diagnosed with mental illness.ConclusionPsychiatric exposure in medical education has been recognised as inadequate in general and often exposing medical students to psychiatry early helps improving the stigma and prejudices associated with mental illness. It will also give them sufficient exposure to assess the illness holistically keeping mental health in mind while treating physically ill people and also may inspire them to choose psychiatry as a career choice in a rapidly developing and conservative country such as Malaysia where mental health services are largely inadequate and is the second biggest health issue.

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Resisting stigma and evaluating realism in a direct-to-consumer advertisement for psychiatric drugs

International Journal of Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Marketing ◽

10.1108/ijphm-10-2019-0069 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽

Author(s):

Tara Walker

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Mental Illness ◽

General Population ◽

Online Survey ◽

Bipolar Depression ◽

Online Advertising ◽

Sample Population ◽

Content Type ◽

Direct To Consumer ◽

Psychiatric Drugs

Purpose This study aims to examine how experience with mental illness influences perceptions of stigma and realism in a specific direct-to-consumer advertisement (DTCA) for bipolar depression. Design/methodology/approach An online survey had participants watch a 90 s advertisement for a prescription bipolar depression drug and then answer 24 questions about stigma, mental illness experience and the realism of the portrayals in the advertisement. Findings Findings show that people who identify as having experience with mental illness tend to see the ad as more stigmatizing and less realistic. Additionally, people who expressed more stigmatizing beliefs also tended to see more stigma present in the ad. Finally, the study reconfirms conclusions of previous research that people who have experience with mental health conditions possess fewer stigmatizing beliefs overall regarding mental illness. Research limitations/implications The sample population, while diverse in age and somewhat diverse in location, were highly educated, suggesting that they were not representative of the general population. Future studies may want to use more representative samples. A more nuanced approach to understanding experience is needed. While the sample in this study was purposively derived from communities with a higher rate of mental illness, a comprehensive experience scale to measure degrees of experience with mental illness would enhance understanding of this construct. Researchers may also want to look more deeply into the emotional responses of consumers who view these ads. To develop a greater understanding of the trajectory of DTCA, studies of online advertising for psychiatric drugs are needed. Practical implications The results of the study suggest that respondents with experience with mental illness may find ads that sell psychiatric medications unrealistic. This study presents the topic of realism in DTCA as an important construct for determining how consumers may perceive portrayals of disorders. Social implications The fact that people who have experience with mental illness found the Latuda ad to be generally unrealistic suggests that DTCA may be failing to represent mental illness in a way that demonstrates care for patients. Additionally, this research confirms that people who have had exposure to and experience with mental illness tend to hold less stigmatizing beliefs, (Link and Cullen, 1986; Corrigan et al., 2001; Angermeyer et al., 2004) a finding which supports the continuing project of increasing mental health literacy and awareness in the general population. Originality/value This study investigates the reactions of people who identify as having some experience with mental illness to see if they accept the portrayals of mental illness in DTCA or resist them by challenging their realism or identifying stigmatizing elements.

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The mediating role of knowledge on the contact and stigma of mental illness in Hong Kong

International Journal of Social Psychiatry ◽

10.1177/0020764020975792 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 002076402097579

Author(s):

Qi Fang ◽

Tian-Ming Zhang ◽

Yin Ling Irene Wong ◽

Yuen Yum Yau ◽

Xu-Hong Li ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Mental Illness ◽

Hong Kong ◽

Equation Modeling ◽

Mediating Role ◽

Attitudes And Behaviors ◽

Stigmatizing Attitudes ◽

And Behaviors ◽

Prejudicial Attitudes

Background: Although knowledge is a crucial component in contact theory delineating how prejudice changes toward out-groups with stigmatized conditions, little is known about the mediating role of knowledge on contact, stigmatizing attitudes, and behaviors toward mental illness. Aim: This study aimed to examine the mechanism underlie contact and stigma change by knowledge. Methods: A total of 366 participants including family members (FM), mental health providers (MHP), and community residents (CR) recruited across communities in Hong Kong and completed measures of contact level, contact quantity, contact quality, mental health related knowledge, prejudice, and discriminatory behaviors. Structural equation modeling was adopted to test the association among the key variables. Results: Higher level of contact was significantly correlated with better knowledge, less prejudice, and less discriminatory behaviors. Knowledge was directly and negatively correlated with prejudicial attitudes but was not significantly related to discriminatory behaviors. Furthermore, lower levels of prejudice were associated with less discriminatory behaviors. Conclusion: Enhancement of contact may increase understanding toward people with mental illness (PMI) and diminish stigmatizing attitudes and behaviors. Although prejudicial attitudes may be reduced by broadening mental health knowledge, increasing knowledge only might not ameliorate discriminatory behaviors. Future research should test mediators on contact and stigma by using longitudinal data.

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