Public perception of ex mental patients

J. Fracchia, C. Sheppard, D. Canale, E. Cambria, E. Ruest and S. Merlis

American Journal of Public Health, 1976, vol. 66, issue 1, 74-76

Abstract: Data are presented from two studies which show that perceptions of ex mental patients appear to derive from a lack of information and that the provision of information alters the perception of former patients. Perceived unpredictability of behavior and dangerousness seem to form a dyad that causes the public to fear the mentally ill. More positive perceptions of mildly ill ex mental patients were obtained when subjects were given short paragraphs describing typical behaviors and symptoms. These findings support the notion that a fear motivated threat recoil cycle process is likely to be evoked by attempts to establish locally based treatment facilities, particularly in residential communities.

Date: 1976
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:1976:66:1:74-76_4

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