title: The relationship between mental health literacy regarding schizophrenia and psychiatric stigma in the Republic of Ireland.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There is an unclear relationship between mental health literacy (MHL) and psychiatric stigma. MHL is associated with both positive and negative attitudes to mental illness. To our knowledge, no published peer reviewed study has examined this relationship in the Republic of Ireland.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study was conducted to assess MHL regarding schizophrenia and the degree of psychiatric stigma displayed by the general public in the Republic of Ireland.
  
  
  METHODS
  A face-to-face in-home omnibus survey was conducted with a representative sample of residents of the Republic of Ireland. Participants (N = 1001) were presented with a vignette depicting schizophrenia and were asked questions to determine their ability to recognise the condition and to ascertain their attitudes towards schizophrenia and mental illness.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among the participants, 34.1% correctly identified schizophrenia. Higher age, higher socioeconomic status, and an urban geographic location predicted identification. Those who did not correctly identify schizophrenia were significantly more optimistic about recovery and perceived people with schizophrenia as less dangerous. However, only the relationship with perceived dangerousness was considered robust.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Participants with higher MHL displayed more negative attitudes to mental illness. Findings have implications internationally for MHL and anti-stigma campaigns.
authors.affiliation: a DETECT Early Intervention in Psychosis Service , Blackrock , Dublin , Ireland .
authors.forename: Donal
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: O'Keeffe
authors.affiliation: b Cluain Mhuire Family Centre , Blackrock , Dublin , Ireland .
authors.forename: Niall
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Turner
authors.affiliation: c Early Psychosis Service, Metro South Mental Health , Australia , Macgregor , Australia , and.
authors.forename: Sharon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Foley
authors.affiliation: a DETECT Early Intervention in Psychosis Service , Blackrock , Dublin , Ireland .
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lawlor
authors.affiliation: d Molecular and Cellular Therapeutics Department, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland , Dublin , Ireland.
authors.forename: Anthony
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kinsella
authors.affiliation: a DETECT Early Intervention in Psychosis Service , Blackrock , Dublin , Ireland .
authors.forename: Eadbhard
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: O'Callaghan
authors.affiliation: a DETECT Early Intervention in Psychosis Service , Blackrock , Dublin , Ireland .
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Clarke
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003710:Demography; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D057220:Health Literacy; D006801:Humans; D007494:Ireland; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D012559:Schizophrenia; D057545:Social Stigma; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Mental health literacy; recovery optimism; schizophrenia; stigma; violence