Depression: Experiences, Perceptions and Attitudes

Date of Award

2009

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelors

Department

Social Sciences

First Advisor

Harley, Heidi

Keywords

Depression, Cognitive Functioning, Help-Seeking Behavior

Area of Concentration

Psychology

Abstract

The current study investigated the relationship between people's experiences with depression and their perceptions of and attitudes toward depression. There were four levels of experience: current depression past depression, knowing a depressed individual, and no experience with depression. The final sample consisted of 75 participants. Regression analyses revealed that, overall, experiences were not related to perceptions and attitudes; similarly, perceptions and attitudes were not correlated. However, there were several significant findings: (1) Participants were able to recognize their symptoms of depression and were willing to acknowledge them; (2) Current experience with depression predicted a significantly better understanding of depression; (3) Better understanding of depression was associated with an increased willingness to label a depressed individual as mentally ill; (4) Male participants were less likely to desire social distance from a depressed individual; and (5) Participants who were seeking counseling for depression at the time of the study desired less social distance from a depressed person and were less likely to think that a depressed individual would do something dangerous. Thus, at least at some level, experience with depression plays a role in people's perceptions of and attitudes toward depression.

This document is currently not available here.

Share

COinS