Skip to main content

Public knowledge, beliefs and attitudes towards patients with schizophrenia: Buenos Aires

Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology volume 46, pages 281–290 (2011)Cite this article

Abstract

Objective

The purpose of our study was to assess the knowledge, social distance and perception of social discrimination towards persons with schizophrenia in the general adult population of Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Methods

One thousand two-hundred fifty-four persons were surveyed at different neighborhoods of the city of Buenos Aires. Their knowledge about schizophrenia, personal social distance and perception of social discrimination were assessed with several questions. Afterwards, a scale for each one of these measures was built.

Results

Almost half of the general population believed that patients with schizophrenia suffer from split personality and that most of them are dangerous and violent. Knowledge about schizophrenia in the general population was moderate and it was associated with age and education. Almost 80% of the population had less than one-third of the maximum possible social distance score, but their perception of social discrimination was high. Social distance was greater in the elderly. Knowledge was correlated weakly with social distance. Respondents directly related with patients suffering from schizophrenia were more knowledgeable about the illness, but had the same social distance and perception of social discrimination than the rest of the general population.

Conclusions

The persons surveyed felt their own attitudes are more favorable to people with schizophrenia than ‘most other people’s’ attitudes. The elderly should be specifically addressed in specially designed anti-stigma campaigns.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Access options

Buy single article

Instant access to the full article PDF.

43,34 €

Price includes VAT (Finland)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

References

  1. Addison SJ, Thorpe SJ (2004) Factors involved in the formation of attitudes towards those who are mentally ill. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 39:228–234

    PubMed  Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Adewuya A, Makanjuola R (2005) Social distance towards people with mental illness amongst Nigerian university students. Soc Psychiatric Psychiatr Epidemiol 40:865–868

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Alonso MM (2006) Los psicólogos en la Argentina. Psicodebate 6. Psicología. Cult Soc 6:7–14

    Google Scholar 

  4. Association American Psychiatric (2000) Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders: 4th edn. revised. American Psychiatric Association, Washington, DC

    Google Scholar 

  5. Angermeyer MC, Dietrich S (2006) Public beliefs about and attitudes towards people with mental illness: a review of population studies. Acta Psychiatr Scand 113:163–179

    PubMed  Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Angermeyer MC, Matschinger H, Corrigan PW (2004) Familiarity with mental illness and social distance from people with schizophrenia and major depression: testing a model using data from a representative population survey. Schizophr Res 69(2–3):175–182

    PubMed  Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Angermeyer MC, Matschinger H (1996) The effect of personal experience with mental illness on the attitude towards individuals suffering from mental disorders. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 31:321–326

    PubMed  Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Angermeyer MC, Matschinger H (1997) Social distance towards the mentally ill: results of representative surveys in the Federal Republic of Germany. Psychol Med 27:131–141

    PubMed  Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Berge M, Ranney M (2005) Self-esteem and stigma among persons with schizophrenia: implications for mental health. Care Manage J 6:139–144

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Bogardus EM (1925) Measuring social distance. J Appl Soc 9:299–308

    Google Scholar 

  11. Bowling A (2005) Mode of questionnaire administration can have serious effects on data quality. J Public Health 27:281–291

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Breier A, Scheiber JL, Dyer J et al (1991) National Institute of Mental Health longitudinal study of chronic schizophrenia. Arch Gen Psychiatry 48:239–246

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Brislin RW (1986) The wording and translation of research instruments. In: Lonner WL, Berry JW (eds) Field methods in cross-cultural research. Sage, Newbury Park, pp 137–164

    Google Scholar 

  14. Brockington IF, Hall P, Levings J, Murphy C (1993) The community’s tolerance of the mentally ill. Br J Psychiatry 162:93–99

    PubMed  Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Bullinger M, Alonso J, Apolone G et al (1998) Translating health status questionnaires and evaluating their quality: the IQOLA Project approach: International Quality of Life Assessment. J Clin Epidemiol 51:913–923

    PubMed  Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Buss DM (1989) Sex differences in human mate preferences: evolutionary hypotheses tested in 37 cultures. Behav Brain Sci 12:1–49

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Chuaqui J (2005) El estigma en la esquizofrenia. Ciencias Soc Online 2:45–66

    Google Scholar 

  18. Clement S, Foster N (2008) Newspaper reporting on schizophrenia: a content analysis of five national newspapers at two time points. Schizophr Res 98(1–3):178–183

    PubMed  Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Corrigan PW, Edwards AB, Green A et al (2001) Prejudice, social distance, and familiarity with mental illness. Schizophr Bull 27(2):219–225

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Dirección General de Censo y Estadística (2008) Encuesta Anual de Hogares de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Aspectos Demográficos 2006, no. 14

  21. Dirección General de Censo y Estadística (2008). Encuesta Anual de Hogares de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Aspectos Educativos 2004–2005, no. 13

  22. Ertugrul A, Ulug B (2004) Perception of stigma among patients with schizophrenia. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 39:73–77

    PubMed  Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Gaebel W, Baumann A, Witte A, Zaeske H (2002) Public attitudes towards people with mental illness in six German cities. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 252:278–287

    PubMed  Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Griffiths KM, Nakane Y, Christensen H et al (2006) Stigma in response to mental disorders: a comparison of Australia and Japan. BMC Psychiatry 6:21

    PubMed  Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Harrison G, Hopper K, Craig T et al (2001) Psychotic illness: a 15- and 25-year international follow-up study. Br J Psychiatry 178:506–517

    PubMed  Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Jorm AF (2000) Mental health literacy: public knowledge and beliefs about mental disorders. Br J Psychiatry 177:396–401

    PubMed  Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Krauss SJ (1995) Attitudes and the prediction of behavior: a metanalysis of the empirical literature. Pers Soc Psychol Bull 21:58–75

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Leckwart JF (1968) Social distance: an important variable in psychiatric settings. Psychiatry 31:352–361

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Lee PW, Lieh-Mak F, Wong MC et al (1988) The 15 year outcome of Chinese patients with schizophrenia in Hong Kong. Can J Psychiatry 43:706–713

    Google Scholar 

  30. Leff J, Warner R (2006) Why work helps: social inclusion of people with mental illness. Cambridge University Press, New York

    Book  Google Scholar 

  31. Leiderman EA, Mugnolo JF, Bruscoli N et al (2006) Consumo de psicofármacos en la población general de la ciudad de Buenos Aires. Vertex Rev Arg de Psiquiat 17:85–91

    Google Scholar 

  32. Levav I, Shemesh A, Grinshpoon A et al (2004) Mental health-related knowledge, attitudes and practices in two kibbutzim. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 39:758–764

    PubMed  Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Link BG, Cullen F (1983) Reconsidering the social rejection of ex-mental patients: levels of attitudinal response. Am J Commun Psychol 11:261–273

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Link BG, Cullen FT, Frank J et al (1987) The social rejection of former mental patients: understanding why labels matter. Am J Sociol 92:1461–1500

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. Link BG, Cullen FT, Struening E, Schrout PE, Dohrenwend BP (1989) A modified labeling theory approach to mental disorders: an empirical assessment. Am Soc Rev 54:400–423

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. Link BG, Struening EL, Rahav M et al (1997) On stigma and its consequences: evidence from a longitudinal study of men with dual diagnosis of mental illness and substance abuse. J Health Soc Behav 38:177–190

    PubMed  Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. Lysaker PH, Tsai J, Yanos P, Roe D (2008) Associations of multiple domains of self-esteem with four dimensions of stigma in schizophrenia. Schizophr Res 98(1–3):194–200

    PubMed  Article  Google Scholar 

  38. Magliano L, Fiorillo A, De Rosa C et al (2004) Beliefs about schizophrenia in Italy: a comparative nationwide survey of the general public, mental health professionals, and patients′ relatives. Can J Psychiatry 49:322–330

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Marwaha S, Johnson S (2004) Schizophrenia and employment. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 39:337–349

    PubMed  Article  Google Scholar 

  40. Matas M, el-Guebaly, Peterkin N et al (1985) Mental illness and the media: an assessment of attitudes and communication. Can J Psychiatry 31:12–17

    Google Scholar 

  41. Phelan JC, Bromet EJ, Link BG (1998) Psychiatric illness and family stigma. Schizophr Bull 24:115–126

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  42. Racenstein JM, Penn D, Harrow M et al (1999) Thought disorder and psychosocial functioning in schizophrenia: the concurrent and predictive relationships. J Nerv Ment Dis 187:281–289

    PubMed  Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  43. Schomerus G, Kenzin D, Borsche J, Matschinger H, Angermeyer MC (2007) The association of schizophrenia with split personality is not an ubiquitous phenomenon: results from population studies in Russia and Germany. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 42:780–786

    PubMed  Article  Google Scholar 

  44. Small R, Yelland J, Lumley J et al (1999) Cross-cultural research: trying to do it better. 2. Enhancing data quality. Aust N Z J Public Health 23:390–394

    PubMed  Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  45. Stefani D (1985) Autoritarismo y actitud hacia la enfermedad mental. Salud Ment 8(2):27–30

    Google Scholar 

  46. Stefani D (1979) Actitud hacia la enfermedad mental y nivel socioeconómico. Acta Psiquiat Psicol Am lat 25:282–286

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  47. Strauss JS (2008) Prognosis in schizophrenia and the role of subjectivity. Schizophr Bull 34:201–203

    PubMed  Article  Google Scholar 

  48. Stuart H, Arboleda-Flórez J (2001) Community attitudes towards people with schizophrenia. Can J Psychiatry 46:245–252

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  49. Stuart H (2008) Fighting the stigma caused by mental disorders: past perspectives, present activities, and future directions. World Psychiatry 7:185–188

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  50. Taskin EO, Sen FS, Aydemir O et al (2003) Public attitudes to schizophrenia in rural Turkey. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 38(10):586–592

    PubMed  Article  Google Scholar 

  51. Thompson A, Stuart H, Bland RC et al (2002) Attitudes about schizophrenia from the pilot site of the WPA worldwide campaign against the stigma of schizophrenia. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 37:475–482

    PubMed  Article  Google Scholar 

  52. Toledo Piza Peluso E, Blay SL (2004) Community perception of mental disorders: a systematic review of Latin American and Caribbean studies. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 39:955–961

    PubMed  Article  Google Scholar 

  53. Walsh E, Buchanan A, Fahi T (2002) Violence and schizophrenia: examining the evidence. Br J Psychiatry 180:490–495

    PubMed  Article  Google Scholar 

  54. Wiersma D, Nienhuis FJ, Slooff CJ et al (1998) Natural course of schizophrenic disorders: a 15-year follow-up of a Dutch incidence cohort. Schizophr Bull 24:75–85

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  55. Wolff G, Pathare S, Craig T, Leff J (1996) Community attitudes to mental illness. Br J Psychiatry 168:183–190

    PubMed  Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Affiliations

  1. Universidad de Palermo, Buenos Aires, Argentina

    Eduardo Adrian Leiderman, Gustavo Vazquez, Candela Berizzo, Ana Bonifacio, Noelia Bruscoli, Juan I. Capria, Betina Ehrenhaus, Manuel Guerrero, Maria Guerrero, Maria Lolich & Roumen Milev

Authors
  1. Eduardo Adrian Leiderman
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Gustavo Vazquez
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Candela Berizzo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Ana Bonifacio
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Noelia Bruscoli
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Juan I. Capria
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Betina Ehrenhaus
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Manuel Guerrero
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  9. Maria Guerrero
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  10. Maria Lolich
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  11. Roumen Milev
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Eduardo Adrian Leiderman.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Leiderman, E.A., Vazquez, G., Berizzo, C. et al. Public knowledge, beliefs and attitudes towards patients with schizophrenia: Buenos Aires. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 46, 281–290 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-010-0196-0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-010-0196-0

Keywords

  • Schizophrenia
  • Discrimination
  • Stigma
  • Social distance
  • Mental health literacy