A simple, illustrated leaflet can be effective in reducing negative
attitudes towards people with mental illness, according to a
study
published in the September issue of the
Psychiatric
Bulletin.
Previous research has shown that negative
attitudes towards people who are mentally ill are widespread.
People with schizophrenia, alcoholism and drug addiction are the
most stigmatised of all those with mental disorder.
In this study, the researchers aimed to devise
a simple technique to reduce stigmatised attitudes of the general
public towards those with schizophrenia and substance misuse.
Four hundred members of the public completed a
questionnaire to measure stigmatised attitudes towards people with
schizophrenia and substance misuse. Participants were then split
into two groups.
The control group received simple descriptions
of cases of schizophrenia, drug dependence or alcoholism. For
example: “John was injecting heroin daily for one year.”
The experimental group received a short
‘upbeat’ leaflet with a description of a patient in remission,
accompanied by a photograph of smartly-dressed male model. For
example: “Chris was injecting heroin daily for one year. He is now
in treatment and he is not using heroin or any other illegal drugs.
He is working full-time.”
Results were received for 310 participants (77%). The leaflet
produced a large and statistically significant reduction in
stigmatised attitudes towards people with drug dependence and
alcohol dependence, but less so towards people with
schizophrenia.
The researchers suggest this is possibly
because people have a more generous attitude towards patients who
have overcome substance misuse disorders. In contrast, people with
schizophrenia tend not to be held responsible for their condition,
and are therefore not given credit for recovering from illness.
Nonetheless, the researchers conclude that it
is worthwhile promoting positive images of people with substance
misuse disorders who are in recovery, in an attempt to reduce
stigma. Such leaflets could be used widely on a population basis,
or targeted to specific groups such as employers or landlords.