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The public's view of the competence, dangerousness, and need for legal coercion of persons with mental health problems

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  • Pescosolido, B.A.
  • Monahan, J.
  • Link, B.G.
  • Stueve, A.
  • Kikuzawa, S.

Abstract

Americans' opinions about financial and treatment competence of people with mental health problems, potential for harm to self or others, and the use of legal means to force treatment. Methods. The 1996 General Social Survey provided interview data with a nationally representative sample (n = 1444). Respondents were given a vignette based on diagnostic criteria for schizophrenia, major depression, alcohol dependence, or drug-dependence, or a 'control' case. Results. The specific nature of the problem was the most important factor shaping public reaction. Respondents viewed those with 'troubles,' alcohol dependence, or depression as able to make treatment decisions. Most reported that persons with alcohol or drug problems or schizophrenia cannot manage money and are likely to be violent toward others. Respondents indicated a willingness to coerce individuals into treatment. Respondent and other case characteristics rarely affected opinions. Conclusions. Americans report greater concern with individuals who have drag or alcohol problems than with persons who have other mental health problems. Evaluations of dangerousness and coercion indicate a continuing need for public education.

Suggested Citation

  • Pescosolido, B.A. & Monahan, J. & Link, B.G. & Stueve, A. & Kikuzawa, S., 1999. "The public's view of the competence, dangerousness, and need for legal coercion of persons with mental health problems," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 89(9), pages 1339-1345.
    • Handle: RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:1999:89:9:1339-1345_0
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    1. Katarína Letovancová & Nadežda KovalÄ Ã­ková & Patricia Dobríková, 2017. "Attitude of society towards people with mental illness: The result of national survey of the Slovak population," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 63(3), pages 255-260, May.
    2. Amy C. Watson & Victor Ottati & Patrick Corrigan, 2003. "From Whence Comes Mental Illness Stigma?," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 49(2), pages 142-157, June.
    3. Pescosolido, Bernice A. & Martin, Jack K. & Lang, Annie & Olafsdottir, Sigrun, 2008. "Rethinking theoretical approaches to stigma: A Framework Integrating Normative Influences on Stigma (FINIS)," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 67(3), pages 431-440, August.
    4. Jessica L Garcia & Adanna J Johnson & Marianna E Carlucci & Rachel L Grover, 2020. "The impact of mental health diagnoses on perceptions of risk of criminality," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 66(4), pages 397-410, June.
    5. Railey, Ashley F. & Roth, Adam R. & Krendl, Anne C. & Perry, Brea L., 2023. "Intergroup relationships with people who use drugs: A personal network approach," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 317(C).
    6. Todd, Therese L. & Chauhan, Preeti, 2021. "Seattle Police Department and mental health crises: Arrest, emergency detention, and referral to services," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 72(C).
    7. Bertil Lundberg & Lars Hansson & Elisabet Wentz & Tommy Björkman, 2008. "Stigma, Discrimination, Empowerment and Social Networks: a Preliminary Investigation of Their Influence On Subjective Quality of Life in a Swedish Sample," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 54(1), pages 47-55, January.
    8. Mi Kyung Seo & Seung Hyun Kim & MinKyu Rhee, 2013. "Coercion in psychiatric care: Can paternalism justify coercion?," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 59(3), pages 217-223, May.
    9. Ross M.G. Norman & Deborah Windell & Rahul Manchanda, 2012. "Examining differences in the stigma of depression and schizophrenia," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 58(1), pages 69-78, January.
    10. Corrigan, Patrick W. & Tsang, Hector W.H. & Shi, Kan & Lam, Chow S. & Larson, Jon, 2010. "Chinese and American employers' perspectives regarding hiring people with behaviorally driven health conditions: The role of stigma," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 71(12), pages 2162-2169, December.
    11. Hoppe, Trevor, 2014. "From sickness to badness: The criminalization of HIV in Michigan," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 101(C), pages 139-147.
    12. Soowon Park & Min-Ji Kim & Maeng Je Cho & Jun-Young Lee, 2015. "Factors affecting stigma toward suicide and depression: A Korean nationwide study," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 61(8), pages 811-817, December.
    13. Sadler, Melody S. & Meagor, Elizabeth L. & Kaye, Kimberly E., 2012. "Stereotypes of mental disorders differ in competence and warmth," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 74(6), pages 915-922.
    14. Minhwa Lee & Mikyung Seo, 2022. "Effects of Human Rights Sensitivity on Empathy and Working Relationship in Mental Health Social Workers: Using Vignettes of Schizophrenia and Alcoholism," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(14), pages 1-12, July.
    15. Rebeca Robles-García & Ana Fresán & Carlos Berlanga & Nicolás Martínez, 2013. "Mental illness recognition and beliefs about adequate treatment of a patient with schizophrenia: Association with gender and perception of aggressiveness-dangerousness in a community sample of Mexico ," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 59(8), pages 811-818, December.

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