Evaluating the Progression of Mental Health Literacy and Various Stigmas across Different Generations

Abstract

The goal of the study was to observe the changes in patterns of awareness, literacy, stigma and acceptance of mental health disorders and issues, particularly across generations. The paper focuses on assessing the levels of literacy and knowledge, and gauging the level of stigma (social, internal, and anticipated) inlayed into the population’s perception of mental health and illness as a concept. The target population included individuals aged between 20 to 65 years. The sample was divided into three parts, based off approximation of generational shifts. A total of 150 individuals participated in this study, 50 from each age group. The age groups were divided into younger adults (20-35 years), middle aged adults (35-50 years) and older adults (50-65 years). The Mental Health Knowledge Schedule, Mental Health Literacy Scale, and the Stigma and Self Stigma Scales were used to collect data. One-way ANOVA was run between the groups, and it was found that there was a significant difference (F2,147 = 7.439, p<.001) in mental health literacy levels as well as in the prevalence of stigmas. Post-hoc comparisons revealed that there was a significant difference in the means of mental health literacy between the youngest age group and both the older groups. The older groups did not, however, see any significant difference between each other. The domains of Anticipated Stigma, Self-Stigma and Help-Seeking/Disclosure were concluded to show no significant differences across all three groups. The Stigma to Others domain saw significant differences (F2,147 = 8.488, p<.001). It was found that there was a significant difference between the youngest and both the older groups, but not between the older groups themselves. The Social Distance domain was found to have significant differences (F2,147 = 4.360, p=.014), but further analysis found differences only between the younger adults and middle-aged adults. The study finds that there is a very significant shift in the levels of mental health literacy and a decline in stigmas in society. The study concludes that there is lower stigma in the older generations, and progress in the level of mental health awareness and literacy, despite differences and scope for further improvement.