A Quantitative Study on Vietnamese University Students’ Perceptions of Mental Illness

Law enforcer or social worker? Exploration of the role of police in responding to persons with mental illness

Role of accredited social health activists in treatment of persons with severe mental illness in the community.

Background: Attitude of medical students and intern doctors toward mental illness is of great importance. They are likely to encounter and care for these patients as doctors. Previous studies observed that 68% of the students felt persons with mental illness (PMI) should not be treated with other patients. Seventy percent of students agreed on the disrespectful attitude of other staff toward PMI. Studies also noticed a significant change in attitude toward mental illness after undergoing psychiatry training programs. Aims and Objectives: The aims and objectives of this study were to assess the attitude of intern doctors toward mental illness and to study the impact of the psychiatry clinical rotation program on their attitude. Materials and Methods: This prospective and interventional study was carried out in a tertiary care hospital for 10–12 months. Institutional ethics committee approval was taken, a total of 132 doctors were selected, and attitude toward mental illness scale was applied on baseline and after completion of clinical rotation. Results: Attitude toward mental illness score on baseline was 111.32 ± 5.15 and after completion of rotation program was 104.61 ± 4.44. Significant improvement was noted post completion of the clinical rotation program (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Thus, complete holistic training increased their awareness about mental illness. It also helped in building empathy toward PMI. Innovative learning and teaching methods played a key role in enhancing their scientific knowledge about psychiatric illness and its treatment. Hence, this program was beneficial in changing their attitude and perception toward psychiatric illness.

Stigma impacts persons with mental illness (PWMI), their families and network of friends, the public and health care professionals. Stigma is a major barrier for PWMI to seeking treatment, which contributes to the burden of disease, disability, and mortality. Research on stigma is relatively scant in the Middle East region and particularly in Qatar. To address stigma effectively in each culture, it is essential to study its nature in the context where the PWMI experience stigma. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of internalized stigma in PWMI in Qatar. A cross-sectional study of PWMI receiving outpatient mental health services in Qatar was done. We interviewed 417 PWMI using a modified 18-item version of the short form of the Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness (ISMI) Scale. Descriptive and regression models were used to analyze the data. The Cronbach alpha for the modified 18-items ISMI was 0.87. Participants' average score on this scale was 2.07 ± 0.38 with 41 (9.8%) of them scoring more than 2.5 which is considered “high” stigma score. In multivariate logistic regression, high stigma (modified ISMI score >2.5) was significantly higher among PWMI with no formal education and among those who reported lower levels of social support. The reported levels of internalized stigma in this vulnerable population of Qatar fall at the lower spectrum reported worldwide. An anti-stigma education program designed for the context of Qatar emphasizing on education and support for PWMI may be conducive to creating an all-inclusive society.

BackgroundMental illnesses pose a significant burden worldwide. Furthermore, the treatment gap for mental disorders is large. A contributor to this treatment gap is the perceived stigma towards mental illness. Besides impeding one’s help-seeking intentions, stigma also impairs persons with mental illness (PMI) in other aspects of their life. Studies have found that stigma may manifest differentially under different cultural contexts. Thus, this study seeks to elucidate the determinants of stigma towards PMI among lay public in Singapore using a qualitative approach.MethodsA total of 9 focus group discussions (FGD) were conducted with 63 participants consisting of lay public Singaporeans who were neither students or professionals in the mental health field, nor had they ever been diagnosed with a mental illness. Topics discussed during the FGD were related to the stigma of mental illness. Data collected were analyzed with inductive thematic analysis method. A codebook was derived through an iterative process, and data was coded by 4 different coders. Both coding and inter-rater analysis were performed with NVivo V.11.ResultsIn total, 11 themes for the determinants of stigma were identified and conceptualized into a socioecological model. The socioecological model comprised 4 levels of themes: 1) Individual level beliefs (fear towards PMI, perceiving PMI to be burdensome, dismissing mental illness as not a real condition), 2) Interpersonal influences (upbringing that instills stigma, intergroup bias, perceived inability to handle interactions with PMI), 3) Local cultural values (elitist mindset among Singaporeans, Chinese culture of “face”, Islamic beliefs about spiritual possession and reaction towards PMI), and 4) Shared societal culture (negative portrayal by media, Asian values).ConclusionsThe findings of this study improved our understanding of the various reasons why stigma exists in Singapore. The themes identified in this study concur with that of studies conducted overseas, as some determinants of stigma such as fear towards PMI are quite ubiquitous. Specifically, the themes elitist mindset among Singaporeans and perceived inability to handle interactions with PMI were unique to this study. It is highly recommended that future anti-stigma campaigns in Singapore should incorporate the findings of this study to ensure cultural misgivings and beliefs are addressed adequately.

Advances in treatment and rehabilitation of persons with mental illness (PWMI) have generally improved their well-being. However, some people, most especially the lay public and no-psychiatric health workers still hold a lot of reservation about the effectiveness of such management interventions. Thus, this study set out to explore medical students’ beliefs about treatment and rehabilitation of PWMI. A descriptive and cross-sectional study carried out among medical students of the College of Medicine of the University of Lagos (CMUL), Lagos, Nigeria. Subjects were selected through multistage and systematic random sampling techniques, with age and sex-matched controls selected among dental students. They were evaluated with a questionnaire adapted from an instrument earlier used by Sechrest et al. (1973) on cross-cultural study of attitude to mental illness among university students. A total of 130 medical students (subjects) and 57 controls (dental students) were studied. The mean age of subjects was 23.2 ± 3.0 years. Varying beliefs about mental illness (MI) were expressed by both subjects and controls. One hundred and seventeen (90%) of subjects and 46 (80.7%) of controls believed PWMI can be effectively treated and most of them believed orthodox treatment to be the important one. On rehabilitation, 8 (6.2%) of subjects and 3 (5.3%) of controls believed treated PWMI should not be allowed to marry (X2 =9.28, DF=4, p=0.05*). Ninety eight (75.4%) of subjects and 40 (70.2%) of controls believed treated PWMI should have chance of securing jobs. When stratified to pre-clinical and clinical levels of study, 68 (65.4%) of preclinical and 24 (10.9%) clinical students believed PWMI should be kept away from the community (X2=24.90, DF=4, p<0.01*). The study has found varying beliefs of the subjects about treatment and rehabilitation of PWMI, most of which are favourable. However, there is still need to emphasize on anti-stigma education on the subjects over their perceived negative beliefs about psychiatry. Key words: Beliefs; treatment and rehabilitation; mental illness; medical students, Nigeria

ABSTRACT: The literature shows that curriculum has a profound effect on student achievement and plays a crucial role in enhancing students’ problem-solving efficacy. Meanwhile, problem-solving is a cognitive process. Problem-solving is such an important competence that it focuses on its students becoming effective problem solvers by applying logical, critical, and creative thinking to a range of problems. Problem-solving can provide the site for learning new concepts and for practicing learned skills. This study was conducted to explore the relation ship between academic learning and problem - solving efficacy in Vietnamese university students. The study used a questionnaire to survey with 700 students from five member universities at Vietnam National University of Ho Chi Minh City. Results of this study indicate that Vietnamese university students’ problem-solving efficacy was in the range of “average” to “high” response. There were significant differences in problem-solving efficacy among students at the five universities. The study also found that Vietnamese university students’ problem-solving efficacy is significantly influenced by their backgrounds and academic learning. KEY WORDS: Academic learning, problem-solving efficacy , cognitive process, and Vietnamese university students. About the Authors: Minh-Quang Duong is a Lecturer at the Faculty of Education, University of Social Sciences and Humanities VNU-HCM (Vietnam National University of Ho Chi Minh City) in Vietnam; and currently as Ph.D. Student at the Department of Educational Policy and Administration NCNU (National Chi Nan University) in Taiwan (ROC). E-mail: flowerfour84_dl@yahoo.com How to cite this article? Duong, Minh-Quang. (2013). “The Effects of Academic Learning on Problem-Solving Efficacy of Vietnamese University Students: A Case Study of Vietnam National University – Ho Chi Minh City” in EDUCARE: International Journal for Educational Studies , Vol.5(2) February, pp.161-172. Bandung, Indonesia: Minda Masagi Press owned by ASPENSI in Bandung, West Java; and FKIP UMP in Purwokerto, Central Java, ISSN 1979-7877. Chronicle of the article: Accepted (December 11, 2012); Revised (January 25, 2013); and Published (February 17, 2013).

Byline: Choudhary. Narayan, Deep. Shikha, Mridula. Narayan After India signed and ratified the United Nations' Convention on Rights of Persons with Disability, 2006 (UNCRPD), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOHFW) initiated the exercise of revising the Mental Health Act - 1987 (MHA-1987) to bring it in harmony with the UNCRPD in 2010. After about 31/2 years long drafting and consultation process, the proposed legislation named Mental Health Care Bill, 2013 (MHCB) was introduced in the Rajya Sabha in August 2013. The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health Related Matters submitted its report with suggestions of some minor changes in November 2013. [sup][1] Though invited to the consultation process at different stages, Indian Psychiatry Society (IPS) was not assigned any role in drafting of the current Bill. IPS and other professional bodies of psychiatrists have expressed apprehensions about a number of provisions in the Bill, which are not considered to be in the interest of persons with mental illness (PMI). IPS has submitted its representations at various stages expressing these concerns. Antony (2014) said that the Bill has an over-inclusive definition for mental illness, which will hurt a huge number of victims of even minor mental illnesses and their families, because of the wide prevalence of stigma. [sup][2] Though there are provisions of emergency admission on any bed anywhere in the country for a maximum period of 72 h (96 h in NE states), all the hospitals or nursing homes who admit PMI have been brought under the purview of the Bill and are required to be registered as mental health establishments (MHEs). All involuntary admissions in MHE even for a day may be subject to review by Mental Health Review Board to be established throughout the country by the Mental Health Review Commission. Kala (2013) said that the provision is undoubtedly progressive, but expressed his doubt that whether we as a society, are ready for this large scale countrywide post-admission review in almost all cases of involuntary admissions. [sup][3] Unmodified electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) has been totally banned, and ECT to minors can be given only after approval from the board. Many other provisions like those of nominated representative, advance directive etc., are supposed to create an obstacle in the treatment of PMI. The Bill has many positive features as well which, if properly and genuinely implemented, are set to revolutionize mental health care services in our country. The Bill ensures the right of every person to access affordable and good quality mental health services funded by the government. All PMI have the right to equality of treatment, protection from inhuman and degrading treatment, free legal services, right to access their medical records, and right to complain regarding deficiencies in provisions of mental health care. [sup][4] Special emphasis has been given to human rights of PMI, and there is a separate chapter in the Bill for this purpose. The government is mandated to establish good quality mental health services at all levels so as to ensure everyone to have access to mental health care services. Decriminalizing suicide is another welcome feature of the Bill. The single provision, which is supposed to inflict greatest damage to the system of mental health care delivery, is that of bringing all the general hospital psychiatry unit (GHPU) within the ambit of definition of MHE. It will result in moving the clock backwards, so far as the development of psychiatry and mental health care in our country is concerned. In Indian Lunacy Act, 1912, there was no mention of the GHPU. In MHA-1987, "any general hospital or general nursing home established or maintained by the government and which provides also for psychiatric services" were excluded from the ambit of definition "psychiatric hospital/ psychiatric nursing home". Thus, the GHPU established or maintained by the government were exempted from obtaining a "license" for running psychiatric inpatient services. …

Research suggests distinct criminal risk factors, not mental illness, are more strongly associated with most criminal behaviors. This notion has been supported among inpatient persons with mental illness (PMI) when examining antisocial cognitions; however, other key criminogenic risk factors (the Big Four and Central Eight risk factors) have not been examined among psychiatric inpatient PMI. We hypothesized that criminal justice (CJ)-involved PMI would endorse significantly greater criminogenic risk compared to non-CJ-involved PMI and that these risk factors would significantly and accurately identify whether PMI had CJ involvement. Additionally, we hypothesized that PMI with and without a history of CJ involvement would not significantly differ on their reported psychiatric symptomatology. We examined all Central Eight criminal risk factors and psychiatric symptomatology among psychiatric inpatient PMI (N = 142) with (n = 74) and without (n = 68) CJ involvement histories. Multivariate analysis of variance and discriminant function analysis indicated significant differences between the Big Four and Central Eight criminal risk factors when classifying CJ and non-CJ groups. The Big Four risk factors correctly classified 85.9% of participants, and the Central Eight correctly classified 99.3% of participants into CJ and non-CJ groups; however, psychiatric symptoms only correctly classified 57.7% of participants into CJ and non-CJ groups. Criminal risk factors appear to be more strongly associated with CJ involvement among PMI than psychiatric symptomatology; therefore, psychotherapeutic intervention on criminal risk factors, not only mental illness, may decrease criminal recidivism among CJ-involved PMI. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).

Persons with Mental Illness (PMIs) require unique consideration and individualized attention in the criminal justice system. Research has demonstrated the prevalence with which police come into contact with these individuals, the unique considerations made by courtrooms serving PMIs, the overrepresentation of PMIs in correctional settings, and the problems PMIs experience when reentering the community from incarceration. Given the growth of attention to this area, and the increased reality of challenges that criminal justice professionals encounter when working with PMIs, this paper explores the prevalence of courses on mental illness in criminal justice undergraduate programs in the United States. The current review of over 640 curricula in the United States illustrates that courses devoted solely to the topic of mental illness in the criminal justice system are particularly rare. The importance of offering more courses in the interface between mental illness and criminal justice for future professionals in the field is discussed.

A Quantitative Study on Vietnamese University Students' Perceptions of Mental Illness

Mental health nurses and health cadres in Indonesia who provide care to persons with mental illness (PWMI) report encountering several challenges and obstacles to the delivery of quality care. At present, there is a paucity of research on this topic. The objective of this study was to examine the challenges encountered by mental health nurses and health cadres in their interactions with the families of PWMI in the community. This descriptive qualitative study employed focus group discussions, conducted in three Indonesian cities: Banda Aceh, Surabaya and Yogyakarta. Thematic analysis was utilised to analyse the data. The study revealed that the theme of this research is nurses and health cadres experienced challenging family behaviours toward a PWMI. The initial subtheme of family behaviour is 'concealing the PWMI.' This subtheme encompasses instances where families attempted to hide the mental health condition of the PWMI. The second subtheme is 'unsupportive families'. This subtheme is characterised by reluctance to engage in treatment or outright rejection of hospital care. This is often due to factors such as familial busyness. The third subtheme is 'poor parenting styles'. This subtheme highlights how inadequate parenting practices, domestic violence and lack of family support contribute to stress and exacerbation of mental disorders in PWMI. The fourth subtheme is 'hidden motive related to wills and testaments', which reveals how families may attempt to manipulate treatment to remove the inheritance rights of PWMI. The fifth subtheme is 'abandonment by family', which describes scenarios where families completely neglect PWMI, leading to inadequate care and medication adherence. The final subtheme, 'removal of PWMI from family units', describes instances where families sent PWMI to mental health facilities for permanent separation, sometimes even relocating to another city. To address these issues, a comprehensive approach is required that considers both the affected individuals and their families. An understanding of the motivations behind these behaviours is essential for the development of targeted interventions that promote family support, reduce stigma and improve the overall mental health environment in communities.

Introduction: Chronic nature of major mental illnesses can have a devastating impact on persons with mental illness (PWMI) and the caregivers. Rehabilitation is a long lasting phase of psychiatric treatment. The study focus on rehabilitation needs of the caregivers of PWMI attending psychiatric outpatient department at a tertiary care hospital. Methods: A cross sectional study was carried out at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Rishikesh, Uttarakhand. A purposive sample of 100 caregivers of persons with mental illness was interviewed to assess rehabilitation needs. Information on socio-demographic profile and rehabilitation needs was ascertained by using a self-administered pre-tested questionnaire. Appropriate descriptive statistics was applied to formulate the results. Results: Findings revealed that medical needs (10.04±2.61), self-care (10.11±2.48) and stress management needs (10.20±4.72) were more compared to others needs. Few caregivers reported the incidences of facing stigma at workplace and society (9.74±2.49) because of their ward’s mental illness. Further, it also revealed that needs related to peer/community support, development of right attitude towards the care of the PWMI and management for worries and apprehension due to the condition of PWMI are quite frequently reported rehabilitation needs by the caregivers. Conclusion: A successful rehabilitation services always should be need based. Types and severity of disability of the PWMI will also play an important role in designing a structured rehabilitation programme. This study warrants further study based on large sample size to design successful rehabilitation services for persons with mental illness. Keywords- Mental illness, rehabilitation, needs, caregiver

Improving Knowledge About Mental Illness Through Family-Led Education: The Journey of Hope

Background:Stigma toward mental illness remains a major barrier to utilization and provision of mental healthcare services. Stigma and negative attitudes toward mental illness fuel each other to create a vicious cycle hampering effective care. After overcoming numerous barriers, persons with mental illness (PMIs) should not be victims to professional stigma and negative attitudes by healthcare workers (HCWs).Aim:To assess healthcare workers’ stigma and attitude toward persons with mental illness and determine their association with sociodemographic and work-related factors.Methods:In this cross-sectional study, sociodemographic and professional data of 275 tertiary care HCWs was collected. Their stigma and attitude towards mental illness was assessed using Attribution Questionnaire-27 (AQ-27) and Mental Illness: Clinician’s Attitude Scale (MICA), respectively. Results were analyzed using SPSS 24.Results:The mean AQ-27 and MICA scores were 114.02 (±25.67 SD) and 49.32 (±9.70 SD), respectively, indicating high levels of stigma and negative attitudes. Nurses and Residents had the highest levels, followed by Interns and Clinical faculty, and Pre and Para Clinical faculty the lowest. Commonly endorsed factors included Avoidance, Coercion and Pity, with Anger the least endorsed. Younger HCWs and females displayed higher negative attitudes, with males endorsing more Pity and Coercion. Psychiatric HCWs exhibited more positive attitudes, and those with a family history of mental illness showed lower negative attitudes compared to those without such history.Conclusion:The study highlights significant stigma and negative attitudes toward PMIs among HCWs. Addressing these attitudes is crucial for improving mental healthcare service delivery and utilization.