This study investigated attitudinal changes toward mental disorder after contact with the mentally disordered. Thirty–three female and 43 male medical students participated in this study. They were divided into two groups on the basis of self–evaluation: Group I students rated themselves as having understood the course in Neuro–Psychiatry; Group II students rated themselves as having little or no understanding of the course. Each group was also divided into two groups; one is Group A who had no negative responses to the mentally disordered during contact experience and the other is Group B who had negative responses.
Attitudes were measured with the Attitudes toward Mental Disorder Scale (AMDS), which consists of five factors, before and after the contact. Prejudice scores in five subscales were calculated to evaluate attitudinal changes. It was found that generally prejudice scores in all factors decreased after contact, showing significant changes in factor1, 4, and 5. Group I students scored lower on the fifth factor before contact, indicating a less prejudiced attitude while Group II scored higher. After contact Group II students showed significant changes in the first, fourth, and fifth factors. After contact significant positive changes in attitude were seen in both Group A and B.
Other findings were also discussed.
