Alternative Title
Stigmatization of mental illness by social workers and other mental health professionals
Publication Date
2016
Document Type
Masters Thesis
Study Type
Quantitative
Department
School for Social Work
Keywords
Stigma (Social psychology), Social workers-Attitudes, Mental health personnel-Attitudes, Discrimination against the mentally ill, Social work education, Stigma, Mental illness, Bias, Education, Social work, Mental health professionals
Abstract
This quantitative descriptive study sought to explore any differences in stigmatization by social workers and other mental health professionals. The second research question explored whether mental health professionals felt their degree program actively challenged them to explore stigma towards those with mental illness. Fifty participants completed an anonymous online survey that included the Community Attitudes Towards Mental Illness scale, measuring stigma of mental illness. There were an additional four Likert scale questions exploring stigma of mental illness, and the participants perspectives of their education about stigma. The findings indicated that social workers had a lower mean score on the subscale of authoritarianism than other mental health professionals. Additionally, the research indicated that the majority of mental health professionals felt that their degree program did not address stigma. Implication for future research, and the field of social work are also discussed.
Language
English
Recommended Citation
Huber, Alexandria R., "Does degree matter? : an exploration into the stigmatization of mental illness by social workers and other mental health professionals" (2016). Masters Thesis, Smith College, Northampton, MA.
https://scholarworks.smith.edu/theses/1769
Comments
iv, 46 pages. M.S.W., Smith College School for Social Work, Northampton, Ma., 2016. Includes bibliographical references (pages 30-32)