Mental Health Literacy among Parents of Adolescents and Teachers in Korea. |
Heesung Ko, Heeseung Choi |
1College of Nursing, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea. lovisway@snu.ac.kr 2College of Nursing, the Research Institute of Nursing Science Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea. |
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Abstract |
PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to investigate the level of mental health literacy (MHL) among parents of adolescents and middle and high school teachers in Korea. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional survey design was used for the present study. Participants were 120 parents and 103 middle and high school teachers in Korea. In 2014-2015 participants completed a survey about two case vignettes(adolescent schizophrenia and depression) and answered questions assessing recognition of these disorders and belief about the helpfulness of interventions and resources. Descriptive analysis, t-test and chi2 test were performed. RESULTS: Schizophrenia was recognized by only 11.6% of parents and 25.2% of teachers. Depression was recognized by 32.5% of parents and 59.2% of teachers. Both parents and teachers acknowledged individual and socio-environmental factors as causes for schizophrenia and depression. However, they were less likely to recognize biological factors as potential causes for mental illness. CONCLUSION: The findings demonstrate the need for education programs for parents of adolescents and teachers to improve their mental health literacy, particularly concerning biological causes of mental illness. |
Key Words:
Recognition; Schizophrenia; Depression; Parents; School teachers |
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