["Schizophrenia has many faces" - evaluation of the Austrian Anti-Stigma-Campaign 2000-2002].
OBJECTIVE
In order to evaluate the effectiveness of the WPA campaign "Open the Doors - against Stigma and Discrimination because of Schizophrenia", five years upon completion of the campaign, a comparative study was performed to assess the possible changes in the general public's attitudes towards schizophrenia.


METHODS
Representative population survey, based on a Quota-sampling (n = 988); face-to-face interviews with standardized questionnaires.


RESULTS
The results of this study were somewhat sobering, with 22.3 % of the population not having any associations with the term "schizophrenia", 81.3 % not wanting to be further informed about the illness, and 64.1 % agreeing with the statement that patients suffering from schizophrenia are dangerous; compared to the survey in 1998, there was a significant increase within this category. Furthermore, an increase of social distance towards this group of patients has also been noted.


CONCLUSIONS
It is to be asked whether a short intervention can change people's profound attitudes.
Grausgruber
Alfred
A
Institut für Soziologie, Johannes Kepler Universität Linz.
Schöny
Werner
W
Grausgruber-Berner
Rosemarie
R
Koren
Gernot
G
Apor
Beatrice Frajo
BF
Wancata
Johannes
J
Meise
Ullrich
U
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001317:Austria; D003617:Dangerous Behavior; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011287:Prejudice; D012929:Psychological Distance; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D013240:Stereotyping; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult