A first national survey of knowledge, attitudes and behaviours towards schizophrenia, bipolar disorders and autism in France

BMC Psychiatry

Marion Leboyer²  Frédéric Rouillon³  Jan Scott²  Isabelle Durand-Zaleski¹ 

[1] FondaMental Foundation, Fondation de Coopération Scientifique Hôpital, A. Chenevier, 40, Rue de Mesly, Creteil, F-94000, France;Psychiatry Genetic, INSERM, U 955, IMRB, Creteil, F-94000, France;CMME –Hopital Sainte Anne, University Paris Descartes, INSERM U 1017 1 Rue Cabanis, F 75014, Paris, France

关键词: Behaviours;    Attitudes;    Discrimination;    Stigma;    Survey;    Autism;    Schizophrenia;    Bipolar disorders;    Mental health;   

Others  :  1124303
DOI  :  10.1186/1471-244X-12-128

 received in 2011-11-13, accepted in 2012-08-09,  发布年份 2012

【 摘 要 】

Background

In order to support evidence-based policies for reduction of stigma, a better understanding of its components: ignorance (knowledge), prejudice (attitude) and discrimination (behaviour) is necessary. This study explores public perceptions and quantifies stigma for three chronic mental disorders: autism, schizophrenia and bipolar disorders in France.

Methods

Survey of 1000 adults selected from an established market research panel. The 21-item questionnaire explored knowledge, attitudes and behaviours toward each disorder.

Results

Although 95% respondents recognized the names of each disorder fewer than 70% could report specific characteristics and only 33% considered that publically available information was adequate; most respondents identified the media as their main resource. Labeling of conditions in a negative way was frequent (61%) when referring to mental disorders in general, but fell significantly (18%) when linked to an individual with a disorder. Individuals with schizophrenia are assumed to be dangerous; 65% respondents would engage in social distancing from such an individual, versus 29% for bipolar disorders and 7% for autism (p < 0.001). In contrast to other disorders, discrimination against schizophrenia was only partly attenuated in those with familiarity with mental disorders (through personal or family illness).

Conclusion

This first population-based survey in France shows that attitudes towards bipolar disorders and autism are less prejudicial than towards schizophrenia. However, most public attitudes and behaviours towards different disorders appear to be based on assumptions rather than knowledge or evidence suggesting a generic information or anti-stigma programme is unlikely to be effective.

【 授权许可】

   
2012 Durand-Zaleski et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

【 图 表 】

Figure 1.

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