The stigma of mental illness : generational differences, help seeking behaviours and quality of life
Authors
Brett, Geraldine
Issue Date
2012
Degree
BA (Hons) in Psychology
Publisher
Dublin Business School
Rights holder
Rights
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Abstract
The aim of the current study was to investigate gender differences in help seeking behaviours for mental illness, age differences in stigmatizing attitudes and quality of life as a predictor for stigmatizing attitudes. This was a quantitative study that investigated the above hypotheses with a questionnaire, given to 136 participants of all ages. The results indicate that there was a significant difference between the ages in relation to stigmatizing attitudes. There was a gender difference between attitudes towards seeking help for psychological illness. Satisfaction with life was a valid predictor for stigmatizing attitudes. This study can therefore conclude that quality of life is important in how a person reacts to a person with mental illness, similarly as is age and gender. Author keywords: Stigma, mental illness, quality of life, help seeking