Open AccessSocial distancing attitudes toward the mentally ill and victims of sexual violence among college students in Southwest Nigeria
Author(s) -
Taiwo Afe,
Olawale Ogunsemi
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
indian journal of social psychiatry (online)/indian journal of social psychiatry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2454-8316
pISSN - 0971-9962
DOI - 10.4103/0971-9962.193654
Subject(s) - social distance , mentally ill , distancing , sexual violence , psychology , criminology , sexual assault , social psychology , medical emergency , covid-19 , psychiatry , medicine , suicide prevention , poison control , mental health , mental illness , disease , pathology , infectious disease (medical specialty)
Background and Objectives: Negative perception and distancing attitudes toward individuals with mental illness and victims of sexual violence are prevalent in many societies and cultures, Attitudes toward these two groups of individuals in sub-Saharan Africa remains negative in the larger society. However, not much survey has been done among college students who represent an educated youthful generation that can usually be targets for positive reorientation programs. The aim of the study was to compare social distancing attitudes using hypothesized social situations involving individuals with mental illness and victims of sexual violence. Methods: A cross-sectional random survey was carried out in two federally-funded institutions in Lagos Mainland, Nigeria. Results: One hundred and seventy-two students responded. Negative social distancing attitudes were expressed toward both groups by college students. Negative perception and distancing are high among college students toward both groups with higher negativity toward individuals with mental illness (10.10±0.7) than with sexual violence (9.16±1.25). Conclusion: There is a need to focus on enlightenment programs on mental illness and sexual violence among college students in higher institutions