Community knowledge and attitudes toward recovering citizenship and mental illness: a telephone survey approach

Wong, F.Y.Y., Wong, K.K.L., Lam, P.C.W., Chin, L.Y. and Fung, C.T. (2023). Community knowledge and attitudes toward recovering citizenship and mental illness: a telephone survey approach. Journal of Public Mental Health, Vol. 22 No. 3, pp. 133-145. https://doi.org/10.1108/JPMH-08-2022-0086

Introduction

In recent years, the concept of recovering citizenship (RC) has received increasing attention in mental health services [1]. Given the development of RC and the 5 Rs of rights, responsibility, role, resources, and relationship, and the limited studies on knowledge and attitudes toward mental illness in the whole population, a telephone questionnaire survey and focus group interviews were conducted. 

Research period: January – February 2021.

Target population: People aged 18 or above in Hong Kong, who were able to communicate in Cantonese and mentally capable of completing the telephone survey.

Objectives

• To assess knowledge and attitudes toward RC, 5 Rs and mental illness of people aged 18 years or above in Hong Kong using a telephone questionnaire survey.
• To evaluate factors affecting knowledge and attitudes toward RC, 5 Rs and mental illness.

Methods

Data collection was conducted by a research center of a local university. Phone numbers were randomly drawn from the Numbering Plan from the government. The telephone survey comprised of two validated scales to measure knowledge and attitudes toward mental illness [2-4], and questions on the extent they agreed people in recovery should possess the 5 Rs. 

Results 

• A total of 1009 respondents completed the telephone survey. 
• A high mean knowledge score of 4.37±1.08 was found (highest possible score: 6) (Table 1).
• The mean score of attitude toward mental illness was 46.50±8.74 (highest possible score: 100). A low score displayed positive attitudes. Respondents showed less fear and exclusion of people with mental illness, followed by Support and Tolerance and Benevolence (Table 1).
• 57% of the respondents had not heard about the basic concept of RC. Respondents were generally positive toward the 5 Rs (Figure 1).
• Those who had better knowledge (p<0.001) and more positive toward mental illness (p<0.001) were significantly more supportive of the 5 Rs.
• Respondents who knew someone with mental illness or in recovery were significantly more knowledgeable in mental health (p=0.036), and more positive toward mental illness (p<0.001) and 5Rs (p<0.001) than those who did not know anyone in recovery (Figure 2).

Table 1. Scores of knowledge and attitude towards mental illness

Figure 1. Attitudes toward 5 Rs

Figure 2. Knowing someone with mental illness and scores in different scales

Conclusion

• To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study assessing the views of RC of people in the community. 
• Respondents had a good knowledge of mental illness but recognition of recovery from mental illness and a sympathetic view toward people in recovery can be further improved.
• To recognize the valued existence and potential contributions made by people in recovery to the communities, dissemination of the concept of RC and having people in recovery take up valued roles in the community could potentially facilitate the acceptance of social inclusion and acceptance.

References

1. Rowe, M., Kloos, B., Chinman, M., Davidson, L., & Cross, A. B. (2001). Homelessness mental illness, and citizenship. Social Policy & Administration, 35(1), 14-31.
2. Evans-Lacko, S., Little, K., Meltzer, H., Rose, D., Rhydderch, D., Henderson, C., & Thornicroft, G. (2010). Development and psychometric properties of the mental health knowledge schedule. The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 55(7), 440-448.
3. Tong, Y., Wang, Z., Sun, Y., & Li, S. (2020). Psychometric Properties of the Chinese Version of Short-Form Community Attitudes Toward Mentally Illness Scale in Medical Students and Primary Healthcare Workers. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 11, 337.
4. Zhu, S., Tse, S., Tang, J., & Wong, P. (2016). Knowledge, attitudes and behaviors associated with mental illness among the working population in Hong Kong: a cross-sectional telephone survey. International Journal of Culture and Mental Health, 9:3, 313-325. 

Publisher: Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2023, Fiona Yan-yan Wong, Keith Kin-lung Wong, Paul Chi-wai Lam, Lok-yan Chin and Cheung-tim Fung.

License

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