Abstract:

OBJECTIVE: This study examines the effects of a high-school education program about schizophrenia and how it can reduce stigmatization and change the social distance and attitudes in students towards people with schizophrenia. METHODS: The study sample was carried out with high-school students between 14 and 19 years old at Nisantasi Nuri Akin Anatolian High School which is affiliated with the National Education Ministry in Sisli, Istanbul. The social distance and attitudes of students towards people with schizophrenia were assessed before and after class instruction and a film showing a person with schizophrenia (experimental group (n=30) and control group (n=30)). The assessment was repeated a week later. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics (percentage, mean, standard deviation, min-max) and comparative statistics (t test). RESULTS: No significant changes were observed to the Social Distance Scale (SDS) and Beliefs Toward Mental Illness Scale (BMI) totals and sub-dimensions scores (p>;.05) in the control group before and after instruction. In the experimental group, favorable social distance to people with schizophrenia and attitudinal changes were observed to the SDS (p .001) and BMI scores (p .05) and "dangerous" subdimension (p .01) score. There were no significant changes to other sub-dimension scores (embarrassment, desperation, and interpersonal communication breakdown) in either group. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that social distance and attitudes towards schizophrenia can be changed favorably in adolescents by including this aim in the school’s mental health program.

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