Individuals with serious mental illness (SMI) make decisions about their condition and what, if any, action to take, in a social context where stigma operates as a barrier to treatment. Link et al., reporting findings from the 1996 General Social Survey, found mental health experts' causal model of SMI, combining stress with biologic and genetic factors, was shared by many respondents. Do respondents also share the opinion that persons with SMI require professional help, psychotherapy and/or medication being the treatments currently advocated by experts? Do respondents' treatment recommendations differ for different disorders as they do for causal explanations? How do perceived causes and recommended treatments differ by respondents' sex, ethnicity, income and education level? We will examine these questions using the 1996 General Social Survey, a biannual, nationwide, representative survey. Data includes responses of 1444 adults to a vignette experiment describing four types of serious mental illness (schizophrenia, depression, alcoholism, cocaine addiction). While understanding of causes of mental illness may be increasing, there is lingering stigma attached to commonly prescribed treatments. By comparing perceived causes of SMI to recommended treatments, it is possible to see if public acceptance of these treatments matches its acceptance of experts' definition of the cause of SMI. Knowledge of perceived causes of SMI and what how the public is most comfortable dealing with SMI will help providers frame their services and messages about treatment in a more acceptable way, increasing the likelihood that persons with SMI will seek professional help and comply with treatment recommendations.
Learning Objectives: After attending this session, the participant will be able to: - discuss current public perceptions of the causes and appropriate/inappropriate treatments for serious mental illness. - identify differences among groups (as defined by sex, ethnicity, income and educational level) as to their conceptions of the causes and appropriate treatments for serious mental illness. -frame services and messages about treatment in a way more acceptable to the public, increasing the likelihood that persons with SMI will seek professional help and comply with treatment recommendations.
Keywords: Mental Illness, Mental Health Care
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.