Influence of having a hospitalized mentally ill member in the family on attitudes toward mental patients in Turkey

Summary The influence of having a mentally ill member in the family on various attitudes was assessed. An exposed group (those having a mentally ill member) was compared with a no-exposure group. The attitudes assessed toward two vignettes included recognition of mental illness, social distance, expected burden, expected influence on one's health, treatment choice, and prognosis. The total sample consisted of 84 subjects selected from the family members of patients from psychiatric (exposed) and other (no-exposure) clinics. Direct experience with a mentally ill family member did not make a significant difference in the attitudes toward the vignettes, but the type of psychopathology did. The results were discussed within the context of findings from Western cultures.