Examining the Relationship of Mental Health Literacy, Beliefs Toward Mental Illness, and Attitudes Toward Seeking Psychological Help
JOURNAL OF PSYCHOSOCIAL NURSING AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, cilt.63, ss.39-48, 2025 (SCI-Expanded, SSCI, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 63
- Basım Tarihi: 2025
- Doi Numarası: 10.3928/02793695-20250314-01
- Dergi Adı: JOURNAL OF PSYCHOSOCIAL NURSING AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, PASCAL, CINAHL, Psycinfo, DIALNET
- Sayfa Sayıları: ss.39-48
- Gazi Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
PURPOSE: To examine the relationship of mental health literacy with beliefs toward mental illness and attitudes toward seeking psychological help in Turkish society. METHOD: This study was a descriptive cross-sectional and correlational study comprising 400 participants (mean age = 28.65 years, SD = 9.83 years). Data were collected using a Personal Information Form, Mental Health Literacy Scale (MHL), Beliefs Toward Mental Illness Scale (BMI), and Attitudes Toward Seeking Psychological Help Scale (ASPH-S). RESULTS: A statistically significant negative weak correlation was observed between MHL and BMI total scores (r = -0.170; p < 0.001). A statistically significant negative weak correlation was also observed between BMI and ASPH-S total scores (r = -0.186; p < 0.001). Mental health literacy accounted for 5.4% of the variability in BMI scores (F= 11.486;p <0.001). CONCLUSION: Mental health literacy positively affects beliefs toward mental illness. Intervention programs should include knowledge about mental disorders and stigma, which will help promote positive beliefs toward mental illness.