title: Comparing mental health literacy and physical health literacy: an exploratory study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study compared mental health and physical health literacy using five health problems from each area.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim was to determine whether the same group had better physical than mental health literacy Method: A sample of 263 participants completed an online questionnaire requiring them to name a problem/illness described in 10 vignettes and suggest treatment options. Five vignettes described mental health problems (anxiety, bipolar-disorder, depression, OCPD and schizophrenia) and five physical problems (angina, COPD, diabetes, a heart attack, and sinusitis). Participants were also asked to rate their sympathy and estimates of prevalence for each disorder.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Recognition of the mental health disorders was superior compared recognition of the physical disorders. Analysis of treatment beliefs, sympathy and prevalence ratings also showed significant differences between disorders.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results highlight the importance of education and the lack of public knowledge regarding major physical health conditions.
authors.affiliation: a Research Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College London , London , UK and.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Wickstead
authors.affiliation: a Research Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College London , London , UK and.|b Norwegian Business School (BI) , Olso , Norway.
authors.forename: Adrian
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Furnham
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006262:Health; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D057220:Health Literacy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: COPD; Mental health literacy; OCPD; Physical health literacy; angina; anxiety; bi-polar disorder; depression; diabetes; heart attack; schizophrenia; simusitis