Adolescents' attitudes toward mental illness and perceived sources of their attitudes: an examination of pilot data.

This exploratory descriptive pilot study examined the attitudes of 89 Floridian adolescents toward mental illness and found significant differences according to gender and education about mental illness. Responses to social distance items showed that adolescents tended to be less accepting as they were proposed relationships that suggested greater intimacy with the mentally ill. The mass media, personal experience with someone who had a mental illness, and parents were perceived by the adolescents as the most important sources of their attitudes. The major implications for nursing practice with adolescents, and particularly in the school system, are discussed with suggested interventions.