Investigation of attitudes toward mental illness among nursing students in Indonesia

Abstract

Objective People with mental illness (PMI) are often stigmatized or experience negative attitudes from society. In particular, nursing students’ attitudes toward PMI will influence the quality of care these patients receive. Some factors influencing attitudes toward PMI among nursing students have been identified. The present study aimed to examine factors influencing attitudes toward mental illness among nursing students in Indonesia. Methods Nursing students ( n = 317) were assessed for attitudes toward mental illness using the Community Attitude toward the Mentally Ill questionnaire. Details regarding sociodemographic variables (age, gender, ethnicity, year of study, monthly family income, personal experience with mental illness, family history of mental illness, and knowing or having direct contact with PMI) and knowledge about mental illness by using Mental Health Knowledge Schedule questionnaire were also obtained. Results The mean Community Attitude toward the Mentally Ill questionnaire score was 103.75 ± 9.15, with the highest mean of the four subscales being that of authoritarianism 27.97 ± 2.87 followed by social restrictiveness, community mental health ideology, and benevolence 27.52 ± 3.68, 24.38 ± 3.80, and 23.89 ± 3.27, respectively. The factors significantly associated with nursing students’ attitudes toward mental illness were age ( r = −0.18, P = 0.001), year of study ( H = 16.65, P < 0.001), knowing or having direct contact with PMI ( Z = −2.35, P = 0.019), and knowledge of mental illness ( r = −0.22, P < 0.001). Conclusions Several demographic variables, direct contact with PMI, and level of knowledge about mental illness can contribute to variations in attitudes toward PMI among nursing students in Indonesia. Education and direct contact with PMI serve as intervention strategies to reduce negative attitudes and stigma associated with mental illness among nursing students.

Stigma associated with and attitude regarding mental health help-seeking among undergraduate nursing students in Karachi, Pakistan

“…There was a signi cant difference in stigma between the two groups of participants, with year II students exhibiting more personal stigma than perceived sigma. Our study ndings are in line with previous studies, where senior Spanish, Indonesian, and Australian nursing students reported low scores on stigma as opposed to the junior students (17,44,45). It could be that , more theoretical training and clinical exposure reduces overall perceived stigma among senior students (46) but they may also foster more negative personal attitudes regarding mental illnesses and people suffering from mental illness (47).…”

“…Previous history of psychiatric illness and living arrangements were found to be predictors of attitude towards seeking help in BScN students in this study. Similar ndings have been reported by other studies conducted on Spanish and Indonesian nursing students suggesting that individuals with previously diagnosed psychiatric illness had better attitudes towards health-seeking as compared to those who did not have any mental illness (17,33). One plausible explanation for this nding could be that the participants with previous psychiatric illness had experienced mental healthcare services and interacted with mental health professionals, which result in positive outcomes; hence, they were more open to seeking professional help than their counterparts (34).…”

“…One plausible explanation for this nding could be that the participants with previous psychiatric illness had experienced mental healthcare services and interacted with mental health professionals, which result in positive outcomes; hence, they were more open to seeking professional help than their counterparts (34). However, a con icting nding was seen in a study conducted on Indonesian nursing students, which depicted that a personal history of psychiatric illness did not in uence attitude towards health-seeking behavior, but knowledge of mental illness and experience with mentally ill persons did contribute to this attitude (17).…”

“…Stigma is equally prevalent in health professionals as in the general population (8,9,13,14)including nursing students, who have been reported to hold moderate to high levels of stigma towards people with mental illness (15,16). This is a source of concern as nursing students' negative attitudes towards mental illness may impact on patients' quality of care and safety (17).…”

Level of Stigma among Spanish Nursing Students toward Mental Illness and Associated Factors: A Mixed-Methods Study

“…Some researchers have recommended that stigma be discussed among health sciences students so that they can go help create awareness and act to help society overcome stigma and discrimination [28]. The stigma of mental illness also has implications for nursing, especially for nursing students [29]. Nursing students provide nursing care to persons with mental illnesses, and their attitudes towards them become the main determinants of the quality and outcomes of care these patients receive [30].…”