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Psychiatric and Psychotherapeutic Literacy: Attitudes To, and Knowledge of, Psychotherapy

Author

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  • Adrian Furnham

    (Department of Psychology, University College London, UK, a.furnham@ucl.ac.uk)

Abstract

Background: Whereas there is now a rapidly emerging literature on psychiatric literacy (Jorm, 2000), there is much less work on the public’s knowledge of, and beliefs about the purpose of, and processes involved in, psychotherapy. This study looked at what lay people think happens during psychotherapy; what the processes and aims are; and the aetiology, treatment and prognosis for a mood and psychotic (bipolar, schizophrenia) and two neurotic (depression, obsessivecompulsive) disorders. Methods: In total 185 British adults, recruited by a market research company, completed a four-part questionnaire, lasting about 20 minutes. Results: Participants were generally very positive about psychotherapy believing the experience to be highly beneficial. Schizophrenia was seen to have a biological basis; depression and bipolar disorder were perceived to have family, work and other stress-related causal issues; obsessive-compulsive disorder was seen to be caused by stress and family-related issues. Participants thought psychotherapy a very effective treatment but drug treatments more effective for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. ‘Talking it over’ was judged highly relevant, specifically to depression. Participants believed that depression had a good chance of cure, and remission, but that neither schizophrenia nor bipolar disorder had much chance of an effective cure. Conclusion: Lay people show a curious pattern on insight, ignorance and naivety with regard to the cause and cure of mental disorders. They appear to have a modestly realistic but somewhat naive view of the process and efficacy of psychotherapy. This may influence how they react to their own and others’ mental illness. It has clear implications for education in psychiatric literacy.

Suggested Citation

  • Adrian Furnham, 2009. "Psychiatric and Psychotherapeutic Literacy: Attitudes To, and Knowledge of, Psychotherapy," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 55(6), pages 525-537, November.
  • Handle: RePEc:sae:socpsy:v:55:y:2009:i:6:p:525-537
    DOI: 10.1177/0020764008094428
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Kee-Lee Chou & Ki-Yan Mak & Po-Kin Chung & David Chan & Kimmy Ho, 1996. "Attitudes Towards Mental Patients in Hong Kong," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 42(3), pages 213-219, September.
    2. Markku Ojanen, 1992. "Attitudes Towards Mental Patients," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 38(2), pages 120-130, June.
    3. Adenekan O. Oyefeso, 1994. "Attitudes Towards the Work Behaviour of Ex-Mental Patients in Nigeria," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 40(1), pages 27-34, March.
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    1. Mauro G Carta & Matthias C Angermeyer & Herbert Matschinger & Anita Holzinger & Elisa Pintus & Mirra Pintus & Maria F Moro, 2014. "Recommendations of the Sardinian public for the treatment of depression," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 60(7), pages 619-626, November.

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