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Attitudes to Mental Illness and Its Demographic Correlates among General Population in Singapore

Author

Listed:
  • Qi Yuan
  • Edimansyah Abdin
  • Louisa Picco
  • Janhavi Ajit Vaingankar
  • Shazana Shahwan
  • Anitha Jeyagurunathan
  • Vathsala Sagayadevan
  • Saleha Shafie
  • Jenny Tay
  • Siow Ann Chong
  • Mythily Subramaniam

Abstract

Background: Public attitudes to mental illness could influence how the public interact with, provide opportunities for, and help people with mental illness. Aims: This study aims to explore the underlying factors of the Attitudes to Mental Illness questionnaire among the general population in Singapore and the socio-demographic correlates of each factor. Methods: From March 2014 to April 2015, a nation-wide cross-sectional survey on mental health literacy with 3,006 participants was conducted in Singapore. Results: Factor analysis revealed a 4-factor structure for the Attitudes to Mental Illness questionnaire among the Singapore general population, namely social distancing, tolerance/support for community care, social restrictiveness, and prejudice and misconception. Older age, male gender, lower education and socio-economic status were associated with more negative attitudes towards the mentally ill. Chinese showed more negative attitudes than Indians and Malays (except for prejudice and misconception). Conclusions: There is a need for culture-specific interventions, and the associated factors identified in this study should be considered for future attitude campaigns.

Suggested Citation

  • Qi Yuan & Edimansyah Abdin & Louisa Picco & Janhavi Ajit Vaingankar & Shazana Shahwan & Anitha Jeyagurunathan & Vathsala Sagayadevan & Saleha Shafie & Jenny Tay & Siow Ann Chong & Mythily Subramaniam, 2016. "Attitudes to Mental Illness and Its Demographic Correlates among General Population in Singapore," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 11(11), pages 1-13, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0167297
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0167297
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Schnittker, Jason, 2008. "An uncertain revolution: Why the rise of a genetic model of mental illness has not increased tolerance," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 67(9), pages 1370-1381, November.
    2. Li-Yu Song & Ly-Yun Chang & Chaiw-Yi Shih & Chih-Yuan Lin & Ming-Jeng Yang, 2005. "Community Attitudes Towards the Mentally Ill: The Results of a National Survey of the Taiwanese Population," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 51(2), pages 162-176, June.
    3. Fernando Parra, 1985. "Social Tolerance of the Mentally Ill in the Mexican American Community," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 31(1), pages 37-45, March.
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    1. Qi Yuan & Louisa Picco & Sherilyn Chang & Edimansyah Abdin & Boon Yiang Chua & Samantha Ong & Kah Lai Yow & Siow Ann Chong & Mythily Subramaniam, 2017. "Attitudes to mental illness among mental health professionals in Singapore and comparisons with the general population," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 12(11), pages 1-14, November.

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