College students attitudes towards mental illness in relation to gender, self-compassion & satisfaction with life
Authors
Sheridan, Daniel
Issue Date
2012
Degree
BA (Hons) in Psychology
Publisher
Dublin Business School
Rights holder
Rights
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Abstract
Prominent researchers within the arena of mental health such as D. Eker, (1989), assert that lay people have their own definitions of mental illness and possess certain attitudes towards those they recognise as mentally ill, therefore, giving rise to stigmatising attitudes. The study provided a quantitative review of the relationships between attitudes towards mental illness and that of gender, Self-Compassion and Satisfaction with Life. The present study examined the attitudes held by psychology students (n=60) and law students (n=40) towards the mentally ill. No significant differences were observed for male and female participants in relation to their attitudes towards mental illness. Findings and limitations of this research are discussed with suggestions for future research proposed. Author keywords: Mental illness, stigma, stereotyping, mental health