Examining the Relationship of Mental Health Literacy, Beliefs Toward Mental Illness, and Attitudes Toward Seeking Psychological Help

Kızılırmak Tatu, MERVE; Ercan, FERİDE; Demir, SATI

doi:10.3928/02793695-20250314-01

Examining the Relationship of Mental Health Literacy, Beliefs Toward Mental Illness, and Attitudes Toward Seeking Psychological Help

Kızılırmak Tatu M., Ercan F., Demir S.

JOURNAL OF PSYCHOSOCIAL NURSING AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, 2025 (SCI-Expanded)

Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
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
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.