Acknowledging Stigma: Levels of Prejudice among Undergraduate Nursing Students toward People Living with a Mental Illness—A Quasi-Experimental Single-Group Study

Abstract

Introduction The undergraduate mental health nursing course may be an optimal time to cultivate students’ positive attitudes toward people living with a mental illness. Aim To determine the impact of an undergraduate mental health nursing course on students’ attitudes toward people living with a mental illness, depression, and schizophrenia. Method A quasi-experimental single-group pretest posttest study was conducted using a sample of undergraduate nursing students in New York City (N = 44). Self-reported measures of prejudice toward those living with a mental illness were collected at the beginning of a mental health nursing course and again at its conclusion. Results A statistically significant decrease in prejudice scores was found concerning mental illness (p = .03, d = 0.23), depression (p = .01, d = 0.31), and schizophrenia (p = .013, d = 0.34). Subscale analysis revealed significant decreases in the fear/avoidance and unpredictability subscales. Yet no significant change was found in the subscales of authoritarianism and malevolence for any of the three conditions. Discussion A mental health course led to a modest decrease in prejudice. However, certain facets of prejudice remain unchanged. Implications for Practice Major curricular reform is needed to optimize the impact of undergraduate nursing education.