A comparison of community attitudes toward CMHC services and clients with those of mental hospitals.
Community residents (n = 403) in the East Catchment area of Tucson, Arizona, were interviewed to assess attitudes toward community mental health center (CMHC) services and patients as well as mental hospital services and patients. These residents reported significantly more positive attitudes toward CMHC services than mental hospital services; however, there were no differences in reported attitudes towards CMHC and mental hospital patients. Results are discussed in terms of shifts in community residents' attitudes towards mental health services in general and community-based services in particular. Implications of community attitudes for support of CMHC programs in a time of increasing financial cutbacks are also explored.
D000328:Adult; D001130:Arizona; D003155:Community Mental Health Centers; D005260:Female; D006778:Hospitals, Psychiatric; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D012929:Psychological Distance; D011639:Public Opinion; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors