J Korean Acad Nurs.  2009 Feb;39(1):84-94.

Survey for Community Attitudes toward People with Mental Illness

• Hyun MY
• Yang S
• Lee G

Abstract

PURPOSE: This study was done to investigate community attitudes towards people with mental illness and to mental health services.
METHODS
From August to October of 2006, 474 citizens of Siheung city were asked to give demographic data and their personal attitude toward mental illness and mental health services.
RESULTS
The residents of Siheung community showed slightly negative attitudes, with a mean opinion about mental illness score of 93.38+/-17.29. According to the study, health professionals and citizens showed a positive attitude to the establishment of day care centers and residential facilities (62.2% and 55.4% respectively). Civil servants showed negative attitudes (40.4%). There were significant differences in attitudes according to gender, age, education level, occupation, religion, and income. Positive attitudes were found for health professionals and negative attitudes for civil servants.
CONCLUSION
The results of this study indicate a need to provide public information and education for civil servants, and for those who have negative attitudes, in particular, men, people in the younger age group, who have lower education levels, who are Buddhists, monthly renters, who have a monthly income below 1 million won, who have no children and no experience with people who have a mental illness.

Keyword

Attitude; Mental health

MeSH Terms

Adult
*Attitude
Community Mental Health Services
Female
Humans
Male
Mental Disorders/*psychology
Mental Health Services
Middle Aged
Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
*Public Opinion
Questionnaires
Social Distance

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