[Attitudes and beliefs of citizens of Montreal towards psychiatric patients living in a society].
In the past 50 years, new health policies all over the world have led to the introduction of rehabilitation and deinstitutionalization programs to overcome the depersonalizing effects of asylums. As a result, large numbers of former psychiatric patients are now living and working in society. The public's attitudes and beliefs about these former patients play a central role in their harmonious integration into the community. To find out more about these attitudes and beliefs, we interviewed a representative sample of the population of Montreal Island (n = 899). Our study indicates that a majority of respondents show a favourable attitude towards former psychiatric patients (in terms of recognizing their rights, accepting them in the workplace, creating warm relationships, etc.), but that people still entertain many negative beliefs (seeing mental illness as a deviation from the norm). The study interprets these ambivalent signs of tolerance and fear towards ex-psychiatric patients among Montrealers. An encouraging sign is that a trend towards greater acceptance seems to be emerging among young people in terms of both attitudes and beliefs.
Dorvil
Henri
H
Université du Québec à Montréal.
Provencher
Hélène
H
Beaulieu
Alain
A
D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003469:Culture; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders; D008875:Middle Aged; D014505:Urban Population