The Community's Tolerance of the Mentally Ill

Abstract

A survey of attitudes to mental illness was conducted in a quota sample of about 2000 subjects in Malvern and Bromsgrove. Factor analysis showed three main components - benevolence, authoritarianism, and fear of the mentally ill. Residents of Bromsgrove, which is served by a traditional mental hospital, were slightly more tolerant than those living in Malvern, which has a community-based service, and has seen the closure of two mental hospitals in its vicinity during the last 10 years. The main demographic determinants of tolerance are age, education, occupation, and acquaintance with the mentally ill.

Stigmatizing Attitudes About Mental Illness and Allocation of Resources to Mental Health Services

“…Research participants who reported greater pity for people with mental illness endorsed more mandated treatment. This is consistent with authoritarian notions about people with mental illness (Brockington, Hall, Levings, & Murphy, 1993;Taylor & Dear, 1980). Namely, the mental health system should mandate some services for people with mental illness because of parental concern.…”

Swan song for schizophrenia?

“…Research has shown that an advanced understanding of an illness imbues positive attitudes towards it (Brockington et al, 1993), and with schizophrenia this can perhaps be achieved by making people aware of the facts regarding its known pathophysiology and successful management. This is best achieved in adolescence, when individuals are at their most receptive and are themselves dealing with similar issues regarding their identity and psychological well-being.…”

The Relation between Psychological Flexibility and Mental Health Stigma in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: A Preliminary Process Investigation

“…Contact is added to education in order to facilitate a more accurate view of stigmatized groups. Among those, education and contact-based education have been found to reduce stigmatizing attitudes (e.g., Brockington, Hall, Levings, & Murphy, 1993;Corrigan et al, 2001;Corrigan et al, 2002;Link, Cullen, Frank, & Wozniak, 1987;Morrison, 1980;Penn et al, 1994).…”