Older adults’ perceptions of mentally ill older adults

Abstract

Objectives: Many mentally ill older adults are stigmatized, which reduces quality of life and discourages help-seeking. This study's goal was to identify factors associated with stigma.

Methods: Community-dwelling older adults (N = 101) were asked to indicate their attitudes toward and reactions to three hypothetical older women with depression, anxiety, or schizophrenia.

Results: The results suggest that schizophrenic persons are viewed as most dangerous and dependent, while anxious persons are seen as most responsible for their illness. Age, gender, and educational level of participants were associated with desired social distance and differing perceptions of the hypothetical persons.

Conclusion: These findings can be used to improve educational efforts that seek to reduce the stigma associated with mental illness in older adults.

Keywords:

• stigma
• attitudes
• mental illness
• older adults