| Determinants that shape public attitudes towards the mentally ill: a Dutch public study. | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 16501885 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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BACKGROUND: The stigmatisation of the mentally ill is considered a well-established fact. To improve negative attitudes among the general public, we need to identify the factors that cause them. Drawing from previous studies, we combined a variety of variables to examine a comprehensive explanative model. OBJECTIVES: We examined a sample of the Dutch public on their willingness to interact with mental patients. We examined a number of determinants concerning their influence on levels of social distance: demographical characteristics of the public, their beliefs about stereotypes of mental patients, their beliefs about causes of mental problems, their familiarity with mental illness. METHODS: We employed a questionnaire survey among two sub-samples of the Dutch public (n = 812, response 33%). RESULTS: Attributing psychiatric problems to structural causes (i.e. causes beyond patients' control and responsibility, such as genetic transmission) is associated with less social distance. Conversely, attribution to individual factors (e.g. drug abuse) related to more distant attitudes. Stereotypical beliefs about mental patients (e.g. untrustworthiness, aggressiveness, causing disturbances) relate to more social distance from mental patients. CONCLUSIONS: Results implied that our comprehensive model explains only a modest amount of variance, but shows that to improve public mental health literacy and attitudes should first deal with the most negative stereotypical beliefs. |
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Authors:
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Job T B van 't Veer; Herro F Kraan; Stans H C Drosseart; Jacqueline M Modde |
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Publication Detail:
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Type: Journal Article Date: 2006-01-19 |
Journal Detail:
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Title: Social psychiatry and psychiatric epidemiology Volume: 41 ISSN: 1433-9285 ISO Abbreviation: Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol Publication Date: 2006 Apr |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 2006-03-29 Completed Date: 2007-10-22 Revised Date: - |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 8804358 Medline TA: Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol Country: Germany |
Other Details:
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Languages: eng Pagination: 310-7 Citation Subset: IM |
Affiliation:
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Faculty of Social Work, University of Professional Education NHL, Leeuwarden, The Netherlands. j.van.het.veer@zwo.nhl.nl |
Export Citation:
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| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
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Adult Aged Aged, 80 and over Female Genetic Predisposition to Disease Humans Male Mental Disorders* / complications, etiology, psychology Middle Aged Models, Theoretical Netherlands Prejudice* Public Opinion* Social Distance |
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