Perceptions of mental illness and violence – media – critical review

Wilson, Stacey (2010) Perceptions of mental illness and violence – media – critical review. [Dissertation (University of Nottingham only)] (Unpublished)

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Abstract

Abstract

Objective:

The aim of the literature review was to establish how the impact of the closure of mental illness has affected the stigma associated with mental illness. The exploration of the historical context of the closure of the asylums was explored, as well as the other factors that may influence the stigma of mental illness. Subsequently the exploration to identify if deinstitutionalisation has any relationship with the other factors that may be related to the research topic.

Methodology

Through the use of electronic databases such as CINAHL, OVID, PSYCINFO, due to the quantity of evidence found through the searching of these databases alone, exclusion and inclusion criteria were adopted to make the quantity of research found more manageable. Other sources that were researched that were specifically relevant to the literature review, were government documents, in particular the Department of Health surveys exploring public attitudes towards mental illness. Published books were particularly utilised when researching theories of stigma, and exploring the historical context of the closure of the asylums.

Conclusions

From the review of the literature themes emerged suggesting that these factors may individually or in combination influence public attitudes in regards to mental illness. The evidence suggests that only a small reduction of the stigma of mental illness has occurred since the closure of the asylums. To some extent due to highly publicised events involving people with a mental illness have seen an increase in the stigmatisation of mental illness. The evidence suggests that the current education initiatives that have been adopted are in effective. Specific strategies should be used to address individual concepts of the stigmatising beliefs held by the community. The author argues that some origins of the stigmatising beliefs surrounding mental illness has been perpetuated by the failure of the services introduced since the closure of asylums.

Item Type: Dissertation (University of Nottingham only)
Depositing User: EP, Services
Date Deposited: 01 Feb 2011 09:45
Last Modified: 11 Apr 2018 08:21
URI: https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/id/eprint/23646

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