Title:
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Public opinions towards people with mental health problems : a qualitative study of older adults
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Background: Negative public attitudes and discrimination towards people with
mental health problems have persisted throughout history. Despite recent 'antistigma'
campaigns, older adults still sometimes hold misinformed and negative
attitudes. Yet, little is known about how these attitudes have been formed and the
depth and nuance of views.
Aim: To explore older adults' views towards mental health problems and people
with mental health difficulties. Particular attention was given to influences which
informed these views.
Methods: Five males and ten females between the ages of 66-89 years (mean
age = 75.3) were recruited from a range of community groups in the south Essex
area. Semi-structured interviews were conducted and social constructionist
grounded theory was utilised to analyse the data.
Results: The theoretical framework 'perceptions and evaluations of mental
health problems and people with mental health difficulties' was constructed from
the data. Participant views were influenced by personal experience, the media,
societal discourses and contact with individuals with mental health problems.
Mental health problems were understood as psychiatric diagnoses, 'illnesses' and
abnormalities and were explained with reference to bio-psycho-social causes and
within moralistic and historical frameworks. Participants said that people with
mental health problems could be harmful, violent, unpredictable, uncontrollable
and difficult to interact with; these views sometimes led to social avoidance.
Participants particularly empathised with individuals with a diagnosis of dementia
but were fearful of people diagnosed as schizophrenic. The perceived impacts of
mental health problems included societal discrimination and impaired quality of
life. Professional assistance, informal support and individual responsibility were
considered important for recovery.
Implications: These findings highlight the importance of anti -discri mination
practices which take into consideration the views of older adults and perhaps
specifically target this cohort. Clinical psychologists have a role to play in these
practices as well as the media, policy and social justice
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