The Impacts Of Attitudes Religious Beliefs, And Perceptions Of Mental Illness On Social Distance Attitudes Regarding Mental Health Concerns Among Black College Students

Tiffany Williams, Prairie View A&M University

Abstract

Mental illness has become more prominent in today’s society as mental health concerns have become more prevalent throughout the United States, especially after the Covid-19 pandemic. Although mental health awareness has increased, there is a relatively sizeable disproportionate rate of individuals living with mental illness compared to people who engage in treatment. Various factors serve as barriers to treatment, however, the current research focused on attitudes toward mental illness that were predictive of negative social distance attitudes. Social distance attitudes refer to levels of comfort a person has regarding interactions with a person diagnosed with mental illness. By investigating community health ideologies, attitudes toward mental illness, religious beliefs, and demographic factors, this research addressed the gap in knowledge concerning how a person’s beliefs about religion and mental illness impact their behaviors associated with people diagnosed with mental illness. Mental health symptoms can adversely impact a person's emotional, psychological, and behavioral functioning.

When mental health concerns remain unaddressed, individuals are placed at higher risk for developing severe mental health disorders.

The stigma associated with mental health was identified as a primary barrier to treatment. Therefore, identifying contributing factors that lead to negative mental health stigma may be beneficial in dismantling barriers to treatment and services, especially among racially diverse populations. The rates of mental health concerns among college students have steadily increased over the last few years.

The current study highlighted factors associated with perceptions of people with mental illness among Black and African American students. Participants completed online surveys that consisted of Community Attitudes toward the Mentally Ill (CAMI) scales, religious beliefs, demographics, and perceived social distance attitudes toward people with mental illness. The results of the study could aid in shedding light on potential social barriers to treatments for people living with mental health disorders or concerns.

Keywords: social distance attitudes, beliefs, mental health