경찰의 정신질환자에 대한 업무경험이 정신질환자에 대한 태도에 미치는 영향

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the dual mediating effects of knowledge of and prejudice against the mentally ill in relation to the effects of work experience of the police with the mentally ill on the police’s attitudes towards them. 309 police officers participated in the survey and the results are as follows. First, the police officers’ work experience, knowledge, prejudice, and attitudes regarding the mentally ill showed significant differences based on the demographic characteristics of the police officers. Second, unlike previous studies, it was found that with more work experience with the mentally ill, the lower the knowledge of the mentally ill and the greater the prejudice against them. Although greater knowledge of the mentally ill led to lower prejudice against them, the greater the knowledge, the more negative the attitude. Third, although the work experience with the mentally ill did not directly affect the police officers’ attitudes towards them, there was a sequential dual mediating effect on their attitudes towards the mentally ill through the mediating effects of knowledge and prejudice. Based on the results, reinforcement of mental illness education for police was suggested.