Examining the effect of anti-stigma messages on the attitudes of early adolescents

• Main Author: Spagnolo, Amy B
• Format: Dissertation
• Language: English
• Published: ProQuest Dissertations & Theses 01.01.2009
• Subjects: Health education; Mental health
• ISBN: 1109197152; 9781109197150

This study assessed the effect of varying levels of disconfirmation of mental illness stereotypes on the attitudes of 12 and 13 year olds. An informational session highlighting factual information about mental illness was provided. The participants then listened to a 8-10 minute personal story provided by a person with a mental illness. Participants were then able to ask questions of the presenters. Depending on the condition, participants either heard a version of the personal story that was a low, moderate, or high disconfirmation of typical stereotypes associated with mental illness. The students then completed a survey about a fellow classmate with a psychiatric illness. In total, 238 seventh grade students were assessed pre intervention, post intervention and at the three month follow up using the Attitude Questionnaire Short Form for Children. In addition, a knowledge test was administered to gauge general understanding of mental illness pre, post and three months after the intervention. Findings indicated that there was no difference in attitudes among participants from the three conditions. However, regardless of condition, an intervention effect was found at the post test. This implies that the information combined with any contact with a person with mental illness improved attitudes. Additionally, there was a significant negative correlation between scores on the knowledge test and the attitude questionnaire. This finding suggests that the more knowledgeable participants were the less stigmatizing their views were. This type of research is critical to the design of future public education efforts directed at the adolescent population. In order to better understand the effect of contact with a person with mental illness on attitudes, a close examination of both the content provided as well as type of contact must be examined. In addition, more sensitive scales and multiple methods of evaluation should be employed when assessing attitudes among this group.