The mediating role of knowledge on the contact and stigma of mental illness in Hong Kong

Author:

Fang Qi1,Zhang Tian-Ming2,Wong Yin Ling Irene3,Yau Yuen Yum4,Li Xu-Hong4,Li Jie5,Chui Cheryl Hiu Kwan4,Tse Samson4,Chan Cecilia Lai-Wan4,Chen Eric Yu Hai6,Ran Mao-Sheng4ORCID

Affiliation:

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.

Funder

Public Policy Research Funding Scheme

Publisher

SAGE Publications

Subject

Psychiatry and Mental health

同舟云学术

1.学者识别学者识别

2.学术分析学术分析

3.人才评估人才评估

"同舟云学术"是以全球学者为主线,采集、加工和组织学术论文而形成的新型学术文献查询和分析系统,可以对全球学者进行文献检索和人才价值评估。用户可以通过关注某些学科领域的顶尖人物而持续追踪该领域的学科进展和研究前沿。经过近期的数据扩容,当前同舟云学术共收录了国内外主流学术期刊6万余种,收集的期刊论文及会议论文总量共计约1.5亿篇,并以每天添加12000余篇中外论文的速度递增。我们也可以为用户提供个性化、定制化的学者数据。欢迎来电咨询!咨询电话:010-8811{复制后删除}0370

www.globalauthorid.com

TOP

Copyright © 2019-2024 北京同舟云网络信息技术有限公司
京公网安备11010802033243号  京ICP备18003416号-3