The Changing Perceptions of Mental Illness in a Mexican-American Community

Abstract

The thesis that Mexican Americans' perceptions of mental illness are similar to those held by Anglos is so widely accepted by students of mental illness that its validity has seldom been questioned. Using survey research methods a comparative investigation between samples of Anglo and Mexican American respondents concerning perceptions toward mental illness was conducted in selected Los Angeles communities. The interviews centre on short vignettes describing imaginary persons as suffering from what psychiatrists generally consider mental illness. To account for changes in perceptions several hypotheses are tested: the acculcuration, Mexican culture, adolescent and Chicano generation theses. The Chicano generat on thesis proved to be significant. Young Chicanos perceive mental illness not only differently from, but in a narrower perspective than, the Anglo and the older Mexican American.

Attitudes toward mental illness: Recognition, desired social distance, expected burden and negative influence on mental health among Turkish freshmen

“…In addition to the present study, the various studies from different cultures compared by Erinhosho and Ayonrinde (1978), the results of Parra and Yin-Cheong So (1983) and those of Malla and Shaw (1987) agree that the highest recognition rates are always recorded for paranoid schizophrenia compared with other disorders such as simple schizophrenia or anxiety neurosis/depression. One difference between the findings of the present study and those of the others (Erinhosho and Ayonrinde 1978;Parra and YinCheong So 1983) is that in the Turkish sample the anxiety neurosis/depression and the simple schizophrenia descriptions have very similar recognition rates.…”

“…For example, among those studied, paranoid schizophrenia is the most readily recognized mental illness, and this holds in different cultures (e.g. Erinhosho and Ayonrinde 1978;Parra and Yin-Cheong So 1983). As is well-known by now, research (Greenly 1984;Rabkin 1972;Rabkin 1981), has shown that attitudes toward mentally ill are in general negative.…”

Perceptions of Mental Health Stigma and Discrimination in a Mexican American Sample

“…In Statistical analyses did not support the hypothesis that Mexican Americans level of ethnic identity would be related to the amount of social distance they desired from individuals with mental health problems. This finding did not support previous studies which have found that more traditional (less acculturated) Mexican Americans tend to hold more negative views of mental health problems and tend to avoid interacting with individuals with mental health problems (Gonzales, 1976;Parra, 1983). It could be that the lack of significance in this study between these two variables may be attributable to the fact that the majority of Mexican American participants rated themselves as identifying with their ethnic group only moderately, rather than highly, which would reflect a more traditional (less acculturated) orientation.…”

Experienced Turkish Nurses' Attitudes towards Mental Illness and the Predictor Variables of their Attitudes

“…That is, the paranoid schizophrenia vignette received the most 'negative' ratings. In general, it is the most readily recognised vignette as portraying mental illness (Eker, 1989;Erinosho & Ayorinde, 1978;Malla & Shaw, 1987;Parra & Yiu-Cheong So, 1983) and the least accepted in terms of social distance (Eker, 1989;Roman & Floyd, 1981). It is also the case most expected to place emotional and physical burden and to influence one's mental health negatively.…”