The Association between Parent and Children's Knowledge and Attitudes Toward Mental Illness

Presentation Type

Poster

Major

Psychology

Abstract

This study examined the influence that parents have on their children’s knowledge and attitudes toward mental illness. Previous studies suggest that children may not have a complete knowledge of mental illness and may perceive it negatively. Researchers hypothesized that parents and children would have similar perceptions of mental illness and that parents may have an influence in socializing children to have certain views about mental illness. Data was gathered from 24 pairs of students and parents from a middle school and high school. Both parent and child participants completed both a knowledge and attitude assessment and responses of parents were compared to responses of children. The results showed that children tend to have incomplete knowledge of mental illness and that there is a significant difference in the knowledge and attitudes that children and parents have toward mental illness, but that parental attitudes may influence some children. The results indicate that a larger, more diverse sample should be gathered to examine additional age and gender differences.

Faculty Mentor

Cindy Miller-Perrin

Funding Source or Research Program

Academic Year Undergraduate Research Initiative

Location

Waves Cafeteria, Tyler Campus Center

Start Date

21-3-2014 2:00 PM

End Date

21-3-2014 3:00 PM

This document is currently not available here.

Share

COinS
 
Mar 21st, 2:00 PM Mar 21st, 3:00 PM

The Association between Parent and Children's Knowledge and Attitudes Toward Mental Illness

Waves Cafeteria, Tyler Campus Center

This study examined the influence that parents have on their children’s knowledge and attitudes toward mental illness. Previous studies suggest that children may not have a complete knowledge of mental illness and may perceive it negatively. Researchers hypothesized that parents and children would have similar perceptions of mental illness and that parents may have an influence in socializing children to have certain views about mental illness. Data was gathered from 24 pairs of students and parents from a middle school and high school. Both parent and child participants completed both a knowledge and attitude assessment and responses of parents were compared to responses of children. The results showed that children tend to have incomplete knowledge of mental illness and that there is a significant difference in the knowledge and attitudes that children and parents have toward mental illness, but that parental attitudes may influence some children. The results indicate that a larger, more diverse sample should be gathered to examine additional age and gender differences.