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Knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours towards schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and autism: a pilot study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 December 2021

David Mothersill ,
Gerard Loughnane ,
Gabriela Grasso  and
April Hargreaves
David Mothersill
Affiliation:
Psychology Department, School of Business, National College of Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
Gerard Loughnane
Affiliation:
School of Business, National College of Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
Gabriela Grasso
Affiliation:
Psychology Department, School of Business, National College of Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
April Hargreaves*
Affiliation:
Psychology Department, School of Business, National College of Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
*
Address for correspondence: Dr A. Hargreaves, Lecturer in Psychology and Programme Director, School of Business, National College of Ireland, Mayor Street Lower, International Financial Services Centre, Dublin, Ireland. Email: april.hargreaves@ncirl.ie
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Abstract

Objectives:

Lack of knowledge and discriminatory attitudes and behaviours towards individuals with mental disorders is a worldwide problem but may be particularly damaging for young people. This pilot study examined knowledge, attitudes and behaviours towards schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and autism within a large sample of adults in Ireland, a country with the youngest population in Europe, in order to better understand public views on these groups.

Methods:

In a correlational, cross-sectional design, 307 adults in Ireland over the age of 18 completed a questionnaire over Google Forms examining knowledge, attitudes and behaviours towards schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and autism. Responses to questions specifically relating to each diagnosis were compared using trimmed mean ANOVA to examine whether responses to questions differed depending on diagnosis.

Results:

Results indicate varied knowledge, attitudes and behaviours towards these groups, but a majority believe it should be a research priority. ANOVA and post hoc tests revealed significant differences in knowledge, attitudes and behaviours towards each of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and autism (p < 0.005), and reported attitudes and behaviours towards schizophrenia were more negative than either bipolar disorder or autism. A majority of participants (54.8%) felt not informed enough about mental health by the media.

Conclusions:

In our Irish sample, type and level of stigma varies according to mental health diagnosis. Our sample also report feeling inadequately informed about mental health by the media. Thus future policy and campaigns could consider targeting individual mental health diagnoses, with a focus on increasing familiarity and knowledge.

Keywords

Mental disorder stigmaschizophreniabipolar disorderautismIreland
Type
Short Report
Information
Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine , Volume 40 , Issue 4: Themed issue on Perinatal Mental Health , December 2023 , pp. 634 - 640
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of The College of Psychiatrists of Ireland

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