The Differential Effectiveness of Psychosocial and Biogenetic Causal Explanations in Reducing Negative Attitudes toward “Mental Illness”

Psychiatry ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 65 (4) ◽  
pp. 313-325 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ian Walker ◽  
John Read
Keyword(s):  
Mental Illness ◽  
Negative Attitudes ◽  
Causal Explanations ◽  
Differential Effectiveness ◽  
Attitudes Toward Mental Illness

scholarly journals Reducing Stigma Toward Schizophrenia: An Investigation into what Information is Most Effective at Decreasing Negative Attitudes to Schizophrenia

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Danielle Hayward
Keyword(s):  
Mental Illness ◽  
Causal Explanation ◽  
Large Body ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Psychotic Symptoms ◽  
Negative Attitudes ◽  
Stigma Reduction ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
Causal Explanations ◽  
Prejudice And Discrimination

<p>Schizophrenia is a chronic mental illness that manifests psychotic symptoms and largely affects an individual’s day to day functioning (Silva et al., 2017). In addition to the incapacitating symptoms of this disorder, patients with schizophrenia face another central concern: stigma (Stuart, 2016). In light of this, an abundance of previous research has been dedicated to discerning the most effective and feasible methods to reduce stigma towards mental illness (Corrigan, 2001). In particular, a large body of research has suggested that education - or more specifically, educating people about the causes of schizophrenia - may be an effective way to achieve this goal (e.g. Boysen & Vogel, 2008). So far, two causal explanations have dominated the literature; psychosocial causal explanations and biogenetic causal explanations. However, only a small number of experimental studies have directly compared the teaching of these opposing two models on levels of stigma (Lincoln, Arens, Berger, & Rief, 2008; Schlier, Schmick, & Lincoln, 2014; Walker & Read, 2002). The findings from these studies show that the effects of causal explanations on stigma are contradictory, thus highlighting the need for another experiment to discern the actual successfulness of these methods at reducing negative attitudes towards schizophrenia. Additionally, due to the mixed findings in the literature regarding the effectiveness of etiological information at lowering stigma, it seems warranted that further exploration into novel, educational teachings is conducted to establish whether causal information really is the most appropriate educational explanation to enlist if stigma reduction is the end goal. In the current research, two experiments were conducted where participants were provided different explanations for schizophrenia (both causal and non-causal in nature) or no explanation at all. Participants received either a biogenetic causal explanation of schizophrenia, a psychosocial causal explanation of schizophrenia, or a creative explanation for schizophrenia, (Experiment One). Comparatively, in Experiment Two participants were provided either a causal explanation for schizophrenia (biogenetic, psychosocial, epigenetic) or, no information at all. Findings from both experiments suggested there were no significant differences between the levels of prejudice and discrimination of participants who saw information which was causal in nature, and those who did not. Further, no evidence was found to support the hypothesis that different causal explanations have varying effects on stigma. Moreover, the previously untested explanations for schizophrenia did not produce stigma reducing effects. Strengths, limitations, implications and future directions are discussed.</p>

scholarly journals Reducing Stigma Toward Schizophrenia: An Investigation into what Information is Most Effective at Decreasing Negative Attitudes to Schizophrenia

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Danielle Hayward
Keyword(s):  
Mental Illness ◽  
Causal Explanation ◽  
Large Body ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Psychotic Symptoms ◽  
Negative Attitudes ◽  
Stigma Reduction ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
Causal Explanations ◽  
Prejudice And Discrimination

<p>Schizophrenia is a chronic mental illness that manifests psychotic symptoms and largely affects an individual’s day to day functioning (Silva et al., 2017). In addition to the incapacitating symptoms of this disorder, patients with schizophrenia face another central concern: stigma (Stuart, 2016). In light of this, an abundance of previous research has been dedicated to discerning the most effective and feasible methods to reduce stigma towards mental illness (Corrigan, 2001). In particular, a large body of research has suggested that education - or more specifically, educating people about the causes of schizophrenia - may be an effective way to achieve this goal (e.g. Boysen & Vogel, 2008). So far, two causal explanations have dominated the literature; psychosocial causal explanations and biogenetic causal explanations. However, only a small number of experimental studies have directly compared the teaching of these opposing two models on levels of stigma (Lincoln, Arens, Berger, & Rief, 2008; Schlier, Schmick, & Lincoln, 2014; Walker & Read, 2002). The findings from these studies show that the effects of causal explanations on stigma are contradictory, thus highlighting the need for another experiment to discern the actual successfulness of these methods at reducing negative attitudes towards schizophrenia. Additionally, due to the mixed findings in the literature regarding the effectiveness of etiological information at lowering stigma, it seems warranted that further exploration into novel, educational teachings is conducted to establish whether causal information really is the most appropriate educational explanation to enlist if stigma reduction is the end goal. In the current research, two experiments were conducted where participants were provided different explanations for schizophrenia (both causal and non-causal in nature) or no explanation at all. Participants received either a biogenetic causal explanation of schizophrenia, a psychosocial causal explanation of schizophrenia, or a creative explanation for schizophrenia, (Experiment One). Comparatively, in Experiment Two participants were provided either a causal explanation for schizophrenia (biogenetic, psychosocial, epigenetic) or, no information at all. Findings from both experiments suggested there were no significant differences between the levels of prejudice and discrimination of participants who saw information which was causal in nature, and those who did not. Further, no evidence was found to support the hypothesis that different causal explanations have varying effects on stigma. Moreover, the previously untested explanations for schizophrenia did not produce stigma reducing effects. Strengths, limitations, implications and future directions are discussed.</p>

scholarly journals Attitudes toward Mental Illness among Minority Freshmen in China

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 96
Author(s):  
Wei-yu Zeng ◽  
Xiao-xue Xie ◽  
Xiang-rong Tang ◽  
Meng-long Wang ◽  
Lan Yang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Illness ◽  
Suicidal Behavior ◽  
Social Distance ◽  
Mental Illness Stigma ◽  
Negative Attitudes ◽  
Social Distance Scale ◽  
Main Effect ◽  
The Status ◽  
Group Contact ◽  
Attitudes Toward Mental Illness

To explore the status and influencing factors of attitudes toward mental illness among minority freshmen and provide references for mental health education and service assistance in ethnic colleges, a questionnaire survey was conducted among 581 minority freshmen by using Mental Illness Emotional Scale, Stereotype Scale and Social Distance Scale from autumn of 2018 to next spring. The scores of minority freshmen on these scales were significantly higher than the theoretical median, which demonstrated that they did have negative attitudes. There were the significant main effect of nation on the anger and sympathy dimensions of Mental Illness Emotional Scale while the same results were found in the main effect of gender on the danger and suicidal behavior dimensions of Mental Illness Stereotype Scale and the main effect of nation on the dimension of dependence consciousness. Whether relatives or friends are mental illness patients had significant effect on the suicidal behavior dimension of Mental Illness Stereotypes Scale. Overall, attitudes toward mental illness were negative and some mental illness stigma phenomenon were found among minority freshmen; ethnic was an important factor affecting the attitudes of minority freshmen toward mental illness, and the inter-group contact with patients who suffer mental illness in life had a slight impact on the attitudes toward mental illness.

scholarly journals Characteristics associated with negative attitudes toward mental illness among US veterinarians

2019 ◽  
Vol 254 (8) ◽  
pp. 979-985
Author(s):  
Ahmed M. Kassem ◽  
Tracy K. Witte ◽  
Randall J. Nett ◽  
Kris K. Carter
Keyword(s):  
Mental Illness ◽  
Negative Attitudes ◽  
Attitudes Toward Mental Illness

scholarly journals A consumer-led intervention to improve pharmacists' attitudes toward mental illness

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 95-100 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathaniel M. Rickles ◽  
Alison DaCosta
Keyword(s):  
Mental Illness ◽  
Student Attitudes ◽  
Community Pharmacists ◽  
Past Research ◽  
Mental Illnesses ◽  
Negative Attitudes ◽  
Persistent Mental Illness ◽  
Positive Attitudes ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Attitudes Toward Mental Illness

Abstract Introduction: Individuals with a severe and persistent mental illness often manage complex medication regimens and would benefit from support and education from their pharmacist. Past research has shown that community pharmacists have negative attitudes toward mental illnesses, and these attitudes affect willingness to provide services to patients with mental illnesses. Consumer-led interventions have shown benefit to improve student attitudes toward mental illness. However, there are no known studies showing the benefit of consumer-led educational programs to improve pharmacist attitudes toward mental illness and willingness to provide services to those with mental illnesses. The aim of this study is to determine the effects of a consumer-led continuing education program on pharmacists' attitudes toward and willingness to provide services to consumers with mental illnesses. Methods: Fifty pharmacists participated in the program with 2 parts: discussion on the history of mental health care and consumers sharing their experiences. Pharmacists completed 1 survey before and after the program. Surveys asked about pharmacists' attitudes toward mental illness and willingness to provide services to individuals with schizophrenia compared to asthma. Data were analyzed using descriptive and paired t tests. Results: Paired t tests showed a significant decrease in social distance and increase in positive attitudes and willingness to provide services to patients with mental illnesses immediately after the program. Discussion: The immediate increase in positive attitudes and willingness to provide services to consumers with mental illnesses indicates that consumer-led interventions may be an effective way to improve the provision of pharmacy services to patients with mental illnesses.

Attitudes of Mental Health Professionals toward Mental Illness: A Deeper Understanding

2015 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-62 ◽  
Author(s):  
Allison Crowe ◽  
Paige Averett
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Educational Programs ◽  
Professional Experience ◽  
Negative Attitudes ◽  
Quantitative Studies ◽  
Attitudes Toward Mental Illness ◽  
The Impact

Because mental health professionals are not immune to negative attitudes toward adults with mental illness, researchers have questioned where these attitudes might originate, as well as what affects them. Although there have been quantitative studies that broadly explore attitudes toward mental illness, in-depth understanding of factors that affect the attitudes of mental health professionals will offer insight to practitioners and researchers alike. This qualitative study explored the impact of educational programs and professional experience on the attitudes of mental health professionals toward their clients. Based on the results, this article describes a continuum of attitudes toward mental illness for counselors, educators, supervisors, and related professionals as a tool to understand their attitudes toward mental illness.

Correctional Officers and Attitudes Toward Mental Illness

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashley L. Langeliers ◽  
Shiva Amin ◽  
Siobhan K. O'Toole
Keyword(s):  
Mental Illness ◽  
Correctional Officers ◽  
Attitudes Toward Mental Illness

Muslim mass shooters are perceived as less mentally ill and more motivated by religion

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brett Gregory Mercier ◽  
Azim Shariff ◽  
Adam Norris
Keyword(s):  
Mental Illness ◽  
Mentally Ill ◽  
News Article ◽  
Mass Shootings ◽  
Negative Attitudes ◽  
Extremist Groups

Objective: We test whether prejudice can influence lay attributions of mental illness to perpetrators of violence. Specifically, we examine whether people with negative attitudes towards Muslims perceive Muslim mass shooters as less mentally ill than non-Muslim shooters. Method: Study 1 compares attributions of mental illness to Muslim and non-Muslim perpetrators of recent mass shootings. Studies 2 and 3 experimentally test whether a mass shooter described in a news article is seen as less mentally ill when described as being a Muslim, compared to when described as a Christian (Study 2) and to when religion is not mentioned (Study 3). Study 4 tests whether a Muslim shooter is seen as less mentally ill than a Christian shooter, even when both shooters have symptoms of mental illness. Results: In all studies, Muslim shooters were seen as less mentally ill than non-Muslim shooters, but only by those with negative views towards Muslims. Conclusion: Those with anti-Muslim prejudices perceive Muslim mass shooters as less mentally ill, likely to maintain culpability and fit narratives about terrorism. This may reinforce anti-Muslim attitudes by leading those with anti-Muslim prejudice to overestimate the amount of violence inspired by groups like ISIS relative to extremist groups from other ideologies.

scholarly journals The Variability of Nursing Attitudes Toward Mental Illness: An Integrative Review

2016 ◽  
Vol 30 (6) ◽  
pp. 788-796 ◽  
Author(s):  
Krystyna de Jacq ◽  
Allison Andreno Norful ◽  
Elaine Larson
Keyword(s):  
Mental Illness ◽  
Integrative Review ◽  
Attitudes Toward Mental Illness
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