title: [Beliefs on and attitudes toward mental diseases and the psychiatrist: exploratory study].
abstract: Preliminary findings of a research carried out to determine the main beliefs and attitudes general public holds toward three closely related attitudinal objects (namely: Mental illness, the mentally ill, and psychiatrists) are presented. A questionnaire specially designed for this study was applied to a 150-subject sample from the adult general population of Mexico City. Subjects' information level was higher than expected. Their attitudes were also more positive than those foreseen: A majority of subjects recognized both the importance of mental illness, and the advisability of seeking qualified treatment. Nevertheless, information regarding causes, characteristics and course of mental diseases is lacking to a wide extent: In this connection, the need for developing education programs is emphasized.
authors.affiliation: Instituto Mexicano de Psiquiatría, México D.F.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: García Silberman
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001290:Attitude; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011570:Psychiatry; D012737:Sex Factors
vernacular_title: Creencias y actitudes hacia la enfermedad mental y el psiquiatra: estudio exploratorio.