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Community Attitudes Towards the Mentally Ill: The Results of a National Survey of the Taiwanese Population

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  • Li-Yu Song

    (Department of Social Policy and Social Work, National Chi Nan University, Taiwan, ROC, lysong@ncnu.edu.tw)

  • Ly-Yun Chang

    (Institute of Sociology, Academia Sinica, Taiwan, ROC)

  • Chaiw-Yi Shih

    (Department of Social Policy and Social Work, National Chi Nan University, Taiwan, ROC)

  • Chih-Yuan Lin

    (Psychiatric Department, Yu-li Veteran Hospital)

  • Ming-Jeng Yang

    (Psychiatric Department, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital)

Abstract

Background: In Taiwan, to strengthen the psychiatric rehabilitation system has been one of the primary goals of the Department of Health since 1985. Unfortunately, this endeavor has not been successful and it is believed that one of the barriers is social stigma towards the mentally ill. However, to date no national survey has been conducted for Chinese population on the focal topic using a random sample. Aims: In this study we explored the attitudes of the general population towards the mentally ill in Taiwan. Specifically, we examined the effect of contact on one’s attitudes after controlling for demographic variables. Methods: A national survey was conducted on 1,203 subjects drawn through a stratified proportional random sampling. Data were collected using the Computer-Assisted Telephone Interview System. We conducted MANOVA and multiple regression analyses to explore the correlates of the attitudes. Results: The results revealed that the general population held relatively higher levels of benevolence, tolerance on rehabilitation in the community, and nonsocial restrictiveness. However, they held relatively less positive attitudes on non-authoritarianism and normalization. Overall, direct contact and age were the two most important correlates of community attitudes. Education and occupation were also significant. Conclusions: Benevolent thoughts do not necessarily guarantee the acceptance of rehabilitation in the community or treating the mentally ill as a person like anyone else. However, the benevolent thought could be transformed into compassion and acceptance of another human being if people are given the opportunity to have direct contact with mentally ill persons. The results also indicated that community education should specifically target laborers of all age groups.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:socpsy:v:51:y:2005:i:2:p:162-176
    DOI: 10.1177/0020764005056765
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    1. Robert Sévigny & Yang Wenying & Zhang Peiyan & Jacques D. Marleau & Yang Zhouyun & Su Lin & Li GuowangUOWAN & Xu Dong & Wang Yanling & Wang Haijun, 1999. "Attitudes Toward the Mentally Ill in a Sample of Professionals Working in a Psychiatric Hospital in Beijing (China)," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 45(1), pages 41-55, March.
    2. Rashda Tabassum & Ann Macaskill & Iftikhar Ahmad, 2000. "Attitudes Towards Mental Health in an Urban Pakistani Community in the United Kingdom," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 46(3), pages 170-181, September.
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    2. Marcus Y.L. Chiu & Kenneth K.L. Chan, 2007. "Community Attitudes Towards Discriminatory Practice Against People with Severe Mental Illness in Hong Kong," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 53(2), pages 159-174, March.
    3. Hsing-Jung Chao & Yin-Ju Lien & Yu-Chen Kao & I-Chuan Tasi & Hui-Shin Lin & Yin-Yi Lien, 2020. "Mental Health Literacy in Healthcare Students: An Expansion of the Mental Health Literacy Scale," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(3), pages 1-15, February.
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    5. Fan‐Ko Sun & Chun‐Ying Chiang & Yu‐Hua Lin & Tai‐Been Chen, 2014. "Short‐term effects of a suicide education intervention for family caregivers of people who are suicidal," Journal of Clinical Nursing, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 23(1-2), pages 91-102, January.
    6. Pandey Vibha & Sahoo Saddichha & Ranjeet Kumar, 2008. "Attitudes of Ward Attendants Towards Mental Illness: Comparisons and Predictors," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 54(5), pages 469-478, September.
    7. Chi-Hsuan Tsai & Yu-Chen Kao & Yin-Ju Lien, 2020. "The Relationship between Individual-Level and Context-Level Factors and Social Distancing from Patients with Depression in Taiwan: A Multilevel Analysis of National Surveys," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(19), pages 1-14, September.
    8. Sailaxmi - Gandhi & Sangeetha Jayaraman & Thanapal Sivakumar & Annie P John & Anoop Joseph & Parthipulli Vasuki Prathyusha, 2022. "Can employment in a café change Clientele Attitude towards the staff when they are Persons with Mental Illness?," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 68(3), pages 541-547, May.

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