An exploratory analysis of students’ perceptions of mental health in the media

Aguiniga, Donna M.; Madden, Elissa E.; Zellmann, Karen T.

doi:10.1080/15332985.2015.1118002

Cited by 9Mental Health Treatment and AccessMedia Influence and HealthPsychology and Mental Health

An exploratory analysis of students’ perceptions of mental health in the media

Aguiniga, Donna M., Madden, Elissa E., Zellmann, Karen T.·2016·Social Work in Mental Health

DOI 10.1080/15332985.2015.1118002

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Abstract

Despite the prevalence of mental illness in society, the media’s portrayal of mental health fosters stigmatizing attitudes that inhibit many people from seeking treatment. This study surveyed college students enrolled in social work courses (n = 139) to learn about the relationship between mental health knowledge students gleaned from the media, their perception of media portrayals of mental illness as realistic, and the subsequent impact on student attitudes. Analysis of the data found that almost a quarter of the students surveyed reported television and film as their primary source of education about mental illness. Students who received their primary mental health education from television and film were more likely to believe they were seeing realistic portrayals of mental illness and view portrayed stereotypes of mental illness as acceptable. Implications regarding students’ stigmatizing attitudes and students’ identification of persons with mental illness are discussed.

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International students may be reluctant to seek professional help from counselling centres or other services.
“International students may be reluctant to seek help from counselling centres or other services (Aguiniga, Madden, & Zellmann, 2016;Forbes-Mewett & Sawyer, 2016).”
From The effectiveness of a five-session workshop on the distress of international students in Finland – a pilot study. (2023) · cites this paper as Aguiniga, Madden, & Zellmann, 2016

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Authors: Aguiniga, D. M., Madden, E. E., & Zellmann, K. T.
Affiliations: University of Alaska Anchorage (US)
The University of Texas at Arlington (US)
Western Illinois University (US)
Corresponding author: Aguiniga, Donna M.
ORCID: Aguiniga, Donna M.
Madden, Elissa E.
Venue: Social Work in Mental Health
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Published: 2016-01-05
Volume: 14
Issue: 4
Pages: 428-444
ISSN: 1533-2985 (ISSN-L)
1533-2993
DOI: 10.1080/15332985.2015.1118002
OpenAlex: W2336338604
Cited by: 9
References: 54
Citations by year: 2026: 1 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 1 · 2020: 1 · 2019: 1
FWCI: 0.53
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Locations: Social Work in Mental Health (publishedVersion)
Funders: WIU Foundation Office and the WIU Office of Sponsored Projects (SU2011)
Topics: Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Mental Health Treatment and Access
Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Literature and Literary Theory › Media Influence and Health
Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychology and Mental Health
Keywords: media representation of mental illness, mental health stigma, university students, social work students, mental illness stereotypes, film and television, attitudes toward people with mental illness, help-seeking

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An exploratory analysis of students’ perceptions of mental health in the media

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