Association between Knowledge about Mental Health, Compassion towards Others and Attitude towards Mentally Ill Persons among Young Adults from Raebareli

Abstract

The rising proportion of mental health issues and significant treatment gaps in India makes it essential to explore its antecedents and consequences. Among several other factors, discrimination and public stigma related to mental health conditions have become a significant impediment for those experiencing psychiatric conditions to seek psychological treatment. The current study explores the nuanced relationship between predictors’ Knowledge about Mental Health and the understudied variable, Compassion towards others, with the criterion variable, Attitude towards mentally ill persons. A cross-sectional research design was employed wherein 250 young adults aged 18-40 years (Mean= 23.02, SD = 4.79) were recruited, employing convenience sampling from Raebareli, Uttar Pradesh. Data was collected in the classroom settings during February 2024 using standardised questionnaires. The obtained data was subjected to descriptive, correlation and regression analysis. The results indicate that predictors significantly predict the stigmatising attitude. Regression analysis between knowledge and attitude revealed the model was statistically significant, β = -0.50, t (250) =-9.24, p<0.00. The model concerning compassion and attitude was also statistically significant, β = -0.23, t (250) = -3.86, p <0.00.  The study underscores the importance of improving knowledge and compassion towards others in developing favourable attitudes towards mentally ill persons, which may increase support and positive societal attitudes towards individuals with mental illness. Future investigators shall explore various moderators and mediators between the studied variables.