The relationship between mental health literacy and community attitudes towards mental illness: is myths about schizophrenia a mediator?

Increasing mental health literacy (MHL) levels are associated with communities displaying more positive attitudes and less negative attitudes. The myths about schizophrenia (MAS) may affect the balance between these two variables. However, no relevant study has been conducted. This study is designed to examine MAS’s mediating role in MHL’s effect on Community Attitudes Towards Mental Illness (CAMI). This descriptive and correlational study was completed with 270 participants. Data were collected with MAS Form, MHL Scale and CAMI Scale. Hierarchical regression analysis was used to evaluate the mediating effect. The increase in MHL level decreased the MAS level, the increase in MAS level increased negative community attitudes, and the increase in MHL level increased positive community attitudes and decreased negative community attitudes. As for the mediating effect, MAS mediated negative community attitudes. Thus, we suggest conducting awareness activities, improving MHL, lowering MAS, and implementing mental health policies for CAMI management.