A comparison of knowledge and attitude toward mental illness among secondary school students and teachers

Al Omari, Omar; Khalaf, Atika; Al Hashmi, Iman; Al Qadire, Mohammad; Abu Shindi, Yousef; Al Sabei, Sulaiman; Matani, Nasir; Jesudoss, Devanprabudoss

doi:10.1186/s40359-022-00820-w

BMC Psychology

Table 3 The differences in responses between teachers and students in regard to two selected cases

From: A comparison of knowledge and attitude toward mental illness among secondary school students and teachers

	Depression					Schizophrenia with positive symptoms
	Students		Teachers		p value	Students		Teachers		p value
	n	%	n	%		n	%	n	%
What type of problem is this?					< 0.01					< 0.01
Burnout	241	60.3	332	80.8		84	21.0	116	28.2
Physical problems	46	11.5	47	11.4		27	6.8	39	9.5
Mental problems	60	15.0	32	7.8		148	37.0	206	50.1
Possession by spirits	8	2.0	0	0		86	21.5	50	12.2
None of above	45	11.3	0	0		55	13.8	0	0
What is the name of this type of problem?					< 0.01					< 0.01
Poor physical health	82	20.5	33	8.0		63	15.8	15	3.6
Neurasthenia	45	11.3	25	6.1		29	7.2	41	10.0
Depression	136	34.0	243	59.1		50	12.5	65	15.8
Mania	13	3.3	3	0.7		64	16.0	56	13.6
Obsessive–compulsive disorder	12	3.0	20	4.9		76	19.0	100	24.3
Schizophrenia	6	1.5	8	1.9		31	7.8	60	14.6
Other problems	12	3.0	27	6.6		27	6.8	24	5.8
Do not know	94	23.5	52	12.7		60	15.0	50	12.2
What is the main cause of this type of problem?					< 0.01					< 0.01
Negative life events	142	35.5	148	36.0		112	28.0	137	33.3
Work stress	106	26.5	109	26.5		40	10.0	31	7.5
Hereditary illness	10	2.5	9	2.2		22	5.5	13	3.2
Problem with thinking	58	14.5	100	24.3		94	23.5	143	34.8
Possession by spirits	22	5.5	6	1.5		69	17.3	35	8.5
Other causes	62	15.5	39	9.5		63	15.8	52	12.7
What would you recommend this person do?					< 0.01					< 0.01
Talk to friends and family	65	16.3	114	27.7		86	21.5	88	21.4
Relax more	145	36.3	137	33.3		55	13.8	24	5.8
See GP	49	12.3	23	5.6		21	5.3	19	4.6
Traditional medicine	6	1.5	8	1.9		17	4.3	19	4.6
See a psychiatrist	68	17	110	26.8		135	33.8	231	56.2
Other	17	4.3	17	4.1		26	6.5	30	7.3
Don’t know	50	12.5	114	27.7		60	15.0	88	21.4
How would most neighbours view this person?					< 0.01					< 0.01
Think the individual is strange	117	29.3	50	12.2		89	22.3	99	24.1
Fear person’s behaviour	45	11.3	42	10.2		196	49.0	154	37.5
Sympathize	121	30.3	252	61.3		24	6.0	92	22.4
Considered normal	50	12.5	67	16.3		32	8	28	6.8
None of the above	67	16.8	0	0		59	14.8	0	0
Do you think it is possible that you would ever be like this?					< 0.01					< 0.01
Yes	203	50.7	285	69.3		88	22.0	144	35.0
No	179	49.3	126	30.7		312	79	267	65.0
Is the individual able to tell right from wrong?					< 0.01					< 0.01
Yes	133	33.3	201	48.9		83	20.8	127	30.9
No	76	19.0	54	13.1		143	35.8	140	34.1
Hard to tell	191	47.8	156	38.0		174	43.5	0	0
Is the individual able to continue to work?					< 0.01					< 0.01
Yes	90	22.5	64	15.6		87	21.8	62	15.1
Yes, after resting	101	25.3	194	47.2		48	12	62	15.1
Yes, after treatment	121	30.3	129	31.4		165	41.3	250	60.8
No	88	22.0	24	5.8		100	25.0	37	9.0
Is the individual’s risk of harming others increased?					< 0.01					0.006
Yes	131	32.8	106	25.8		179	44.8	221	53.8
No	243	60.8	305	74.2		221	55.3	190	46.2

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ISSN: 2050-7283

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