Laura Altweck|Tara C. Marshall|Nelli Ferenczi|Katharina Lefringhausen
Mental health literacy: a cross-cultural approach to knowledge and beliefs about depression, schizophrenia and generalized anxiety disorder
Brunel University London|Brunel University London|Brunel University London|Brunel University London
many families worldwide least one member behavioral mental disorder yet majority public fails correctly recognize symptoms mental illness previous research found mental health literacy mhlthe knowledge positive beliefs mental disorderstends higher european north american cultures compared asian african cultures nonetheless quantitative research examining variables explain cultural difference remains limited purpose study fourfold validate measures mhl crossculturally b examine mhl model quantitatively c investigate cultural differences mhl model examine collectivism predictor mhl validated measures mhl european american indian samples results lend strong quantitative support mhl model recognition symptoms mental illness central variable greater recognition predicted greater endorsement social causes mental illness endorsement professional helpseeking well lesser endorsement lay helpseeking mhl model also showed overwhelming cultural difference namely lay helpseeking beliefs played central role indian sample negligible role european american sample collectivism positively associated causal beliefs mental illness european american sample lay helpseeking beliefs indian sample findings demonstrate importance understanding cultural differences beliefs mental illness particularly relation helpseeking beliefs