Assessing mental health literacy in Pakistani youth using case-vignettes
ISSN: 1361-9322
Article publication date: 6 September 2022
Issue publication date: 2 February 2023
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to assess mental health literacy (MHL) in the general population using six case vignettes related to depression, mania, psychosis, conversion disorder (CD), obsessive compulsion disorder (OCD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Design/methodology/approach
Each vignette had nine items related to MHL. The sample comprised 4,590 young adults conveniently selected from twin cities in Pakistan. Participants’ responses were converted into percentages and percentiles to find MHL levels.
Findings
The men had moderate MHL in depression and inadequate MHL in the remaining five illnesses. The women had adequate MHL in depression and moderate MHL in mania, psychosis, OCD and PTSD while inadequate in CD. Comparing item-wise understanding, the participants had an adequate understanding of identifying the illness, who could suffer and whether the illness was treatable. However, they struggled with naming the illness, knowing about it and how to treat and identify the person who can treat it.
Research limitations/implications
The findings of this study are helpful for mental health professionals, policymakers and individuals who identify the target areas for engagement and improving MHL in the general population.
Originality/value
This study provides data about MHL related to six mental illnesses, unlike previous studies focusing on a few illnesses. This study recommends awareness sessions, community workshops and engaging social and electronic media for improving MHL and seeking help from relevant health professionals for mental illnesses instead of spiritual healers and witchcraft.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
Data Availability Statements: The data sets generated during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.
Competing Interests: The authors have no competing and financial interests.
Funding: No fund or grant was received for this study.
Ethics Approval: Prior approval to conduct research was sought from the Ethics Research Committee. Informed consent and all ethical guidelines as per the 1964 Declaration of Helsinki and its later amendments were duly followed.
Citation
Faize, F.A., Idrees, S. and Sohail, M. (2023), "Assessing mental health literacy in Pakistani youth using case-vignettes", Mental Health Review Journal, Vol. 28 No. 1, pp. 33-45. https://doi.org/10.1108/MHRJ-05-2022-0028
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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