Knowledge and beliefs about depression among urban and rural Indian Malaysians

Abstract

This study was concerned with mental health literacy specifically with regard to depression. It aimed to investigate “depression literacy” in a sample of urban and rural Indians in Malaysia. A total of 314 participants completed a survey that examined knowledge about depression using a vignette-identification method, and ratings of statements about causes and treatments for depression. The vignette-identification task showed that urban participants were more likely than rural participants to identify depression as such. Only a small minority of rural participants recognised the disorder, using the actual term depression. Factor analysis of the causes and belief items revealed a number of distinct factors, of which trauma and stress were the most strongly endorsed causal factor. For treatment, religious observance and lifestyle factors were rated highly by both groups. The findings suggest that information campaigns are needed to increase the level of awareness about depression targeting the rural population. Limitations are considering including possible ethnocentric biases. The implications of these results are considered.

Keywords:

• mental health literacy
• depression
• lay theories