What do the general population know, believe and feel about individuals with autism and schizophrenia: Results from a comparative survey in Denmark

Abstract

Few studies investigate what members of the general population know about individuals with autism. Only one study has previously investigated how beliefs about autism differ from those about other psychiatric disorders. This study surveyed a convenience sample of the general adult population, within the Northern Region of Denmark, about their knowledge, attitudes and beliefs about individuals with autism and schizophrenia. The respondents (N = 440) possessed basic knowledge and were able to differentiate between the two disorders. Schizophrenia was associated with perceived danger (32.8%), while autism was associated with high intelligence (40.1%) and creativity (27.3%). Respondents were more positive towards interacting with individuals with autism (p < 0.001), but desire for social distancing was pronounced for both disorders in more intimate relationships. Significantly, more respondents reported that they would find it difficult and feel ashamed with regard to being diagnosed with schizophrenia (p < 0.001). Conversely, respondents significantly reported being more likely to elaborate on their diagnosis of autism to their colleagues (p < 0.001). Perceived dangerousness decreased the willingness for social interactions, while knowing someone with autism or schizophrenia increased the willingness to socially interact. Misconceptions and stigma must be addressed in order to minimize the social stigma and rejection associated with these disorders and ultimately improve the quality of life and psychological well-being of affected individuals and their families.

Myths about autism: An exploratory study using focus groups

“…Myths six and seven relate to the beliefs that people with autism are dangerous or mad. In contrast to our findings, some previous surveys have found low levels of endorsement of the myth that people with autism are dangerous (for example, Durand-Zaleski et al 2012) and show that autism is viewed less negatively than mental health conditions such as schizophrenia (Jensen et al 2015). This inconsistent finding may be a consequence of different methodologies.…”

Autism, Art, and Accessibility to Theater

“…Ostensibly, some view people with schizophrenia as being more to blame for their condition, less responsive to treatment, and more helpless. In another survey in which respondents were asked about mental disorders using positive and negative stereotypes, autism was associated with high intelligence and creativity, and schizophrenia was associated with danger [41].…”

Lay beliefs about the causes and cures of schizophrenia

“…A number of studies have been conducted on the MHL of schizophrenia (Altweck, Marshall, Ferenczi, & Lefringhausen, 2015;Angermeyer & Matschinger, 2003;Angermeyer, Millier, Rémuzat, Refaï, & Toumi, 2013;A. Furnham & Igboaka, 2007;Jensen et al, 2016;Lauber et al, 2003;Lee & Suh, 2010;Magliano et al, 2001;Reavley & Jorm, 2014;Suh, Kim, & Byoun, 1995;Yoshioka, Reavley, Rossetto, & Nakane, 2016), and the results of which appear to differ according to the study population. For instance, studies have shown that relatives of patients with schizophrenia are more likely to believe that psychosocial factors are the main cause of schizophrenia than are biological or genetic factors (Magliano et al, 2001;Suh et al, 1995).Furthermore, a study on Korean laypeople revealed that they tend to endorse individual psychological causes such as internal conflict and a lack of will rather than socio-environmental, biological, or supernatural causes of schizophrenia (Lee & Suh, 2010).…”

“…Furthermore, the best available treatments appear to be antipsychotic medications (which is the first-line treatment) along with psychological and psychosocial treatments(U Khan, Martin-Montañez, & Chris Muly, 2013). Notably, a recent study conducted in Denmark showed that the general population has beliefs about the causes of schizophrenia that are in line with professional knowledge: namely, a hereditary explanation followed by improper upbringing and stressful life events (Jensen et al, 2016). However, most studies conducted in South Korea show that people tend to believe in individual psychological causes followed by social environmental causes and show a preference toward psychological counseling and therapy (Lee & Suh, 2010;Suh et al, 1995).…”