Qi Fang1, Tian-Ming Zhang2, Yin Ling Irene Wong3, Yuen Yum Yau4, Xu-Hong Li4, Jie Li5, Cheryl Hiu Kwan Chui4, Samson Tse4, Cecilia Lai-Wan Chan4, Eric Yu Hai Chen6, Mao-Sheng Ran4. 1. School of Social Development and Public Policy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China. 2. Department of Social Work, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China. 3. School of Social Policy & Practice, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA. 4. Department of Social Work and Social Administration, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China. 5. The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China. 6. Department of Psychiatry, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Although knowledge is a crucial component in contact theory delineating how prejudice changes toward out-groups with stigmatized conditions, little is known about the mediating role of knowledge on contact, stigmatizing attitudes, and behaviors toward mental illness. AIM: This study aimed to examine the mechanism underlie contact and stigma change by knowledge. METHODS: A total of 366 participants including family members (FM), mental health providers (MHP), and community residents (CR) recruited across communities in Hong Kong and completed measures of contact level, contact quantity, contact quality, mental health related knowledge, prejudice, and discriminatory behaviors. Structural equation modeling was adopted to test the association among the key variables. RESULTS: Higher level of contact was significantly correlated with better knowledge, less prejudice, and less discriminatory behaviors. Knowledge was directly and negatively correlated with prejudicial attitudes but was not significantly related to discriminatory behaviors. Furthermore, lower levels of prejudice were associated with less discriminatory behaviors. CONCLUSION: Enhancement of contact may increase understanding toward people with mental illness (PMI) and diminish stigmatizing attitudes and behaviors. Although prejudicial attitudes may be reduced by broadening mental health knowledge, increasing knowledge only might not ameliorate discriminatory behaviors. Future research should test mediators on contact and stigma by using longitudinal data.
BACKGROUND: Although knowledge is a crucial component in contact theory delineating how prejudice changes toward out-groups with stigmatized conditions, little is known about the mediating role of knowledge on contact, stigmatizing attitudes, and behaviors toward mental illness. AIM: This study aimed to examine the mechanism underlie contact and stigma change by knowledge. METHODS: A total of 366 participants including family members (FM), mental health providers (MHP), and community residents (CR) recruited across communities in Hong Kong and completed measures of contact level, contact quantity, contact quality, mental health related knowledge, prejudice, and discriminatory behaviors. Structural equation modeling was adopted to test the association among the key variables. RESULTS: Higher level of contact was significantly correlated with better knowledge, less prejudice, and less discriminatory behaviors. Knowledge was directly and negatively correlated with prejudicial attitudes but was not significantly related to discriminatory behaviors. Furthermore, lower levels of prejudice were associated with less discriminatory behaviors. CONCLUSION: Enhancement of contact may increase understanding toward people with mental illness (PMI) and diminish stigmatizing attitudes and behaviors. Although prejudicial attitudes may be reduced by broadening mental health knowledge, increasing knowledge only might not ameliorate discriminatory behaviors. Future research should test mediators on contact and stigma by using longitudinal data.
Entities:
Keywords:
Contact; Hong Kong; knowledge; stigma of mental illness
Authors: Mao-Sheng Ran; Yi-Zhou Wang; Pei-Yi Lu; Xue Weng; Tian-Ming Zhang; Shu-Yu Deng; Ming Li; Wei Luo; Irene Yin-Ling Wong; Lawrence H Yang; Graham Thornicroft; Lin Lu Journal: Lancet Reg Health West Pac Date: 2022-03-03