Exploring attitudes, aetiology and help-seeking behaviours for Mental illness in the community of Diepsloot
Date
2023-02
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg
Abstract
Mental illness is a serious nation-wide health concern, with many individuals suffering from mental disorders. This study explored the attitudes of Diepsloot community members towards mental illness, their beliefs about the aetiology of mental illness and their help-seeking behaviours. Further the study explored whether attitudes and aetiology beliefs predict help-seeking behaviours in Diepsloot community members. Furthermore, issues of stigma and poverty were explored as factors contributing to understanding of and help-seeking behaviours for mental illnesses. A convenience sample of 154 community members in Diepsloot completed a questionnaire consisting of a demographics section, the Living Standards Measure, the Public Perceptions of Mental Illness questionnaire and two open ended questions asking about the factors that contribute to mental illness and the kind of advice the participants would give to a person who has mental illness. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression analyses. The open-ended questions were analysed qualitatively using thematic analysis. The results indicated that the participants had more neutral attitudes towards mental illness overall but an item-by-item analysis of the attitudes scale indicated negative attitudes. The participants perceived mental illness to be caused by biological and stress related causes but did identify other causes in their responses to the open ended question. In particular, psychological factors, substance use, social components/aspects in their community, financial challenges, biological influences and cultural influences were all identified. Among the participants, there was an endorsement of help-seeking behaviours that were aligned with western medicine, hospitalization, consulting with family and friends, and religion in both the quantitative and qualitative analyses. Seeking help from traditional healers was less dominant in the responses to the open ended question. The multiple regression results, with regard to predicting attitudes towards mental illness, suggested that the participants had positive attitudes towards mental illness if their level of knowledge was higher. A variety of predictors were revealed regarding the various help-seeking behaviours. An overlap was observed among the stress aetiology and the cultural beliefs aetiology as predictors. These results are discussed within the broader context of access to mental healthcare in South Africa as well as the need for more collaborative interventions.
Description
A research report submitted in fulfilment for the degree Master of Arts by Research Dissertation in the Department of Psychology, Faculty of Humanities, School of Human and Community Development, at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023.
Keywords
Attitudes, Collaborative care, Help-seeking, Mental health, Mental illness, Traditional healing, UCTD
Citation
Mkhize, Sandile Dionne. (2023). Exploring attitudes, aetiology and help-seeking behaviours for Mental illness in the community of Diepsloot. [Master's dissertation, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg]. WIReDSpace. https://hdl.handle.net/10539/40169