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Beliefs about the causes and cures of depression

Author

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  • Adrian Furnham
  • William Ritchie
  • Alixe Lay

Abstract

Background: This study used attitude statement and vignette methodology to examine a mixed British sample’s belies about the causes and consequences of depression. Aims: To test whether the group would recognise both vignettes with having depression and that the favoured cure would be Psychotherapy/Talking Cure. Method: In all, 320 adults completed a two-part questionnaire. In the first part, they were given two vignettes describing a 30-year-old female and a 45-year-old male both with depression. They were asked what they thought (if anything) was wrong with the person and how they could best be helped. In the second part, they completed two questionnaires, one which lists 47 possible causes and the other 48 possible treatments for depression. Results: Most participants ‘diagnosed’ depression for the two vignettes although they chose very different terms and offered a variety of ‘cures’, including medication and counselling. The questionnaires about cause and cure factored into seven interpretable factors which were logically correlated. A series of regressions showed that sex, age, media interest, political beliefs, experience with depression and other mental illnesses as well as having known of others diagnosed with depression predicted different beliefs about the causes and cures of depression. Conclusion: People have a detailed and multidimensional view of the causes and cures for depression which is systematically related to each other.

Suggested Citation

  • Adrian Furnham & William Ritchie & Alixe Lay, 2016. "Beliefs about the causes and cures of depression," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 62(5), pages 415-424, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:socpsy:v:62:y:2016:i:5:p:415-424
    DOI: 10.1177/0020764016644279
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Steven Klimidis & Fei-Hsiu Hsiao & Iraklis Harry Minas, 2007. "Chinese-Australians' Knowledge of Depression and Schizophrenia in the Context of Their Under-Utilization of Mental Health Care: an Analysis of Labelling," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 53(5), pages 464-479, September.
    2. Adrian Furnham & Joanna Rees, 1988. "Lay Theories of Schizophrenia," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 34(3), pages 212-220, September.
    3. Viren Swami & Phik-Wern Loo & Adrian Furnham, 2010. "Public Knowledge and Beliefs About Depression Among Urban and Rural Malays in Malaysia," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 56(5), pages 480-496, September.
    4. Link, B.G. & Phelan, J.C. & Bresnahan, M. & Stueve, A. & Pescosolido, B.A., 1999. "Public conceptions of mental illness: Labels, causes, dangerousness, and social distance," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 89(9), pages 1328-1333.
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