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Attitudes of Ward Attendants Towards Mental Illness: Comparisons and Predictors

Author

Listed:
  • Pandey Vibha

    (Central Institute of Psychiatry, Ranchi, India)

  • Sahoo Saddichha

    (WHO-BGI, National Tabacco Control Program, Bhubaneswar, India, saddichha@gmail.com)

  • Ranjeet Kumar

    (Department of Clinical Psychology, GR Mental Hospital, Gwalior, India)

Abstract

Background: In India few studies exist that explore attitudes of mental health professionals, especially psychiatric ward attendants, towards psychiatric illnesses. This study aimed to explore attitudes of psychiatric ward attendants since they work closely with psychiatric patients in the hospital ward, and which may differ given their cultural and social background. Methods: Five hundred psychiatric ward attendants were targeted and a 100 sample size chosen based on systematic random sampling. A control group from guardians attending the outpatient department of Central Institute of Psychiatry was selected using the same methods. Attitudes of both groups were assessed using Community Attitudes towards Mental Illness (CAMI) after written informed consent. Results: There were no significant differences noted in Authoritarianism and Benevolence domains of CAMI. However, there were significant differences in the domains of Social Restrictiveness and Community Mental Health Ideology with psychiatric ward attendants scoring higher than the general attendants. Among the socio-demographic variables, there was significant correlation between age, duration of contact and educational background and various domains of CAMI. Conclusions: Psychiatric ward attendants had more positive attitudes than general attendants towards psychiatric illnesses. Socio-demographic variables like older age, higher education and longer duration of contact with the psychiatrically ill predicted more favourable attitudes.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:socpsy:v:54:y:2008:i:5:p:469-478
    DOI: 10.1177/0020764008092190
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. 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.
    2. Nazan Aydin & Arzu Yigit & Tacettin Inandi & Ismet Kirpinar, 2003. "Attitudes of Hospital Staff Toward Mentally Ill Patients in a Teaching Hospital, Turkey," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 49(1), pages 17-26, March.
    3. 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.
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