Date of Submission

2018

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Department

Psychology

Department Chair

Robert A DiTomasso, PhD, ABPP

First Advisor

David S. Festinger, PhD

Second Advisor

Bruce S. Zahn, EdD, ABPP

Third Advisor

Debra Chiaradonna, PhD

Abstract

Mental health literacy (MHL) is defined as knowledge and beliefs about mental health disorders which aid in recognition, management, or prevention (Jorm et al., 1997). The concept of MHL is essential in helping individuals understand and recognize symptoms of mental health disorders. In addition, MHL encompasses components related to stigma and attitudes that serve to facilitate or inhibit help seeking behaviors. Although the public has benefited greatly from initiatives aimed at improving knowledge about physical disease, similar initiatives aimed at improving MHL have been comparatively neglected. Many members of the public have difficulty recognizing specific types of psychological distress (Jorm, 2000). Yet, limited interventions aimed at improving MHL have been evaluated and assessed. Enhancement of MHL can lead to a greater likelihood of treatment engagement and successful outcome. The purpose of this study is to introduce the concept of MHL to a wider audience and identifying possible brief psychoeducational interventions that can improve the public’s knowledge about mental health. It was hypothesized that a brief psychoeducational video about depression would be an effective strategy that increases MHL as it relates to knowledge about depression, stigma towards depression, and attitudes towards seeking professional psychological help. Participants were randomly assigned to watch either a video about depression or a video about nutrition. After viewing their respective videos, participants in both conditions were asked to complete scales that measured their depression literacy, stigma towards depression, and attitudes towards seeking professional psychological help. Participants demonstrated similar levels of depression literacy, stigma towards depression, and attitudes towards seeking professional psychological help, regardless of their assigned condition. However, this study found that individuals who have had previous mental health treatment tended to have more positive attitudes towards seeking professional psychological care. This finding suggests the possibility that a healthy interaction with a mental health professional can enhance attitudes towards mental health and increase the likelihood of future treatment engagement.

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