The Scottish Government

« Previous | Contents | Next »

Listen

ANNEX J: MENTAL HEALTH SCENARIOS - QUESTION BY QUESTION ANALYSIS

J.1 This annex presents a question by question analysis of findings from the mental health scenarios section of the questionnaire.

J.2 Given that there were six scenarios, each was considered by a relatively small sub-sample of respondents. This point should be borne in mind when considering the aggregate level findings. To allow for sub-group analysis of findings pertaining to the scenarios, the data for the 2002, 2004 and 2006 surveys were combined thus tripling the sample size for each scenario (small sample sizes preclude such an analysis using only the 2006 data).

Depression scenario

Scenario text

Causes of symptoms of depression

J.3 Respondents were asked what they felt were the causes of the symptoms described in the depression scenarios. A majority of respondents, for both the male and female version of the scenario, thought the symptoms were likely to have been caused by stressful or disturbing events in Robert's/Shona's life, the circumstances in which he/she lives, physical illness or a chemical imbalance in the brain. The least commonly selected causes of the symptoms were the way Robert/Shona was brought up, fate or Robert's/Shona's own fault (table J.1 below).

J.4 Respondents who were shown the female version of the depression scenario were less likely than those who were shown the male version to think the symptoms were due to Robert's/Shona's own fault or their personality.

J.5 Comparing the findings with those from the previous surveys, the proportion saying that the symptoms may have been caused by Robert's/Shona's own personality was significantly higher in 2006 than in 2004 and 2002. Among those shown the female version of the scenario, the proportion saying the symptoms might have been caused by physical illness or the way Shona was brought up was significantly lower than that recorded in 2002 and 2004.

Table J.1: Depression scenario. Likely causes of depression

Source: Ipsos MORI

J.6 Combining the datasets from all three waves of the survey allows analysis by subgroups of respondents. Age was found to be a significant variable: older age groups were more likely than younger age groups to attribute the symptoms of depression to Robert/Shona's own character or personality (male version: 71% of those aged 75+ compared with 41% of those aged 16-24), Robert's/Shona's upbringing (female version: 51% of those aged 65-74 compared with 31% of those aged 45-54) and fate (male version: 38% of those aged 75+ compared with 19% of those aged 35-44 years). Younger age groups were more likely to think the symptoms were due to a chemical imbalance in the brain (female version: 82% of those aged 25-34 compared with 50% of those aged 75+) or physical illness (female version 78% of those aged 45-54 compared with 61% of those aged 65-74).

J.7 In terms of level of household income, those whose income was over £36,400 per annum were least likely to attribute symptoms to Robert's/Shona's upbringing (male version: 30% of those with a household income of more than £36,400 compared with 49% of those with between £15,600 and £26,000), a chemical imbalance in the brain (female version: 9% versus 23% of those with a household income of under £5,200) or fate (female version: 10% versus 29% of those with a household income of between £5,200 and £15,600).

Support mechanisms for the person in the depression scenario

J.8 When asked to consider the most appropriate sources of help for the person in the depression scenario, the majority of respondents mentioned a family doctor or a family member. As illustrated in table J.2, the next most common responses were a qualified counsellor, a psychiatrist, a friend or a neighbour or a psychologist. There was little variation in the results depending on which version of the scenario respondents had been asked to consider.

J.9 However, version differences are apparent when the data from the three surveys are compared. Among those shown the male version of the scenario, the proportion who felt that the best person to help Robert would be someone with the same problem has fallen between 2004 and 2006. Among those shown the female version, the proportion suggesting a friend or neighbour or a voluntary organisation or charity has also fallen (table J.2).

Table J.2: Depression scenario. Support for Robert/Shona

Source: Ipsos MORI

J.10 Younger respondents were more likely than older respondents to think a friend or neighbour would be the best person to help (male version: 30% of those aged 16-24 versus 13% of those aged 65-74). There were few other differences.

Where the person described in the depression scenario should live

J.11 As illustrated in table J.3, the overwhelming majority felt that the best place for the person in the depression scenarios to live would be in their own (or their family's) home. This is consistent with the result from the 2004 survey.

Table J.3: Depression scenario. Suitable place for Robert/Shona to live²⁶

Source: Ipsos MORI

Depression scenario: possibility of harm/violence

J.12 Around half of respondents shown the depression scenario thought that Robert/Shona might do something harmful or violent to themselves. There was little difference depending on whether the respondent had been shown the male or female version of the scenario, by sub-group of respondent and also little change between the 2004 and 2006 surveys (table J.4).

Table J.4: Depression scenario. Likelihood of doing something harmful/violent to him/herself

Source: Ipsos MORI

J.13 A minority of respondents who considered the depression scenario felt that Robert/Shona might do something harmful or violent to others. This figure has increased between 2004 and 2006, following a decline over the first two waves of the survey (table J.5 below). While this is a disappointing result, it is consistent with an increase in the proportion of people agreeing the public should be better protected, discussed in the previous chapter.

Table J.5: Depression scenario. Likelihood of doing something harmful/violent to others

Source: Ipsos MORI

Social interaction with the person in the depression scenario

J.14 Respondents were asked how willing they would be to interact with Robert/Shona under a number of different circumstances, from doing them a favour, to working with them or having them provide childcare for someone in their family.

J.15 As illustrated in table J.6, majorities would be willing to do Robert/Shona a favour, make friends with them, spend an evening socialising with them, make friends with them and start working closely with them. Respondents shown the female version were generally more sympathetic towards the person with symptoms of depression; they were more likely than those shown the male version to spend an evening socialising with Robert/Shona, make friends with them, start working closely with them, have them marry into the family and do them a favour.

J.16 Between 2004 and 2006, there have been some notable decreases in the proportions of respondents willing to interact with Robert/Shona. Specifically, the proportion of respondents willing to start working closely with Robert/Shona or have them marry into the family has dropped significantly between 2004 and 2006 for both the male and female scenarios. Among those shown the male scenarios, the proportions willing to move next door to Robert, spend an evening socialising with him, make friends with him and have him provide childcare have also decreased. These changes are somewhat surprising given the consistency of attitudes towards mental health between 2004 and 2006 described elsewhere throughout this report. Possible explanations for the changes are discussed in chapter 8.

Table J.6: Depression scenario. Social interaction with Robert/Shona

Source: Ipsos MORI

J.17 Women were generally more willing than men to interact with the people described in the depression scenario. In particular, women were more likely to be willing to make friends with Robert/Shona (male version: 81% versus 68%) and to start working closely with them (female version: 82% versus 64%). Among those shown the female version of the scenario, women were more likely than men to be willing to move next door to Shona (77% versus 69% to spend an evening socialising with her (84% versus 68%) and have her marry into the family (55% versus 44%)

J.18 Younger people were more likely than older people to be willing to move next door to Robert/Shona (male version: 73% of 35-44 year olds compared with 54% of 65-74 year olds), to spend an evening socialising with them (female version: 84% of 25-34 year olds compared with 62% of 75+ year olds), to make friends with them (male version: 78% of 35-44 year olds compared with 60% of 65-74 year olds), to start working with them (female version: 81% of 25-34 year olds compared with 56% of 75+ year olds), or have Robert/Shona marry into the family (male version: 47% of 25-34 year olds compared with 14% of 65-74 year olds).

J.19 There were also differences by experiences of mental health. Those who had personal experience of a problem were more likely than those who did not to be willing to move next door to Robert/Shona (female version: 80% versus 67%), to spend an evening socialising with them (male version: 74% versus 49%), to start working closely with them (female version: 81% versus 68%), to have them marry into the family (male version: 49% versus 22%) or to do them a favour (female version: 94% versus 87%). And, among those shown the male version of the scenario those with personal experience of a mental health problem were more likely than those who did not have any personal experience to make friends with Robert (84% versus 59%). In general, people with proxy experience of mental health were also more likely than those with no contact to be willing to interact with Robert/Shona in most of these circumstances.

Freedoms and rights of person with depression

J.20 Respondents were asked if they thought that Robert's/Shona's freedoms and rights might have to be limited because of their illness. Over a third felt this was likely (37% of those shown the male version and 35% of those shown the female version), while around a half thought it was unlikely (53% of those shown the male version and 57% of those shown the female version).

Diagnosis of depression

J.21 Respondents were asked to pick from a list of 15 options the most likely diagnosis of the symptoms described. A majority of those shown the depression scenarios were able to fit the symptoms to the condition correctly, though the figure was higher among those shown the female version than among those shown the male version (table J.7 below). The results are consistent with those for 2004.

Table J.7: Depression scenario. Diagnosis

Source: Ipsos MORI

Schizophrenia scenario

Scenario text

Causes of the symptoms of schizophrenia

J.22 As illustrated in table J.8, the most likely cause of the symptoms described in the schizophrenia scenario was felt to be stressful or disturbing events in Robert's/Shona's life. Large majorities also mentioned a chemical imbalance in the brain and the circumstances in which Robert/Shona lives. Respondents shown the male version were more likely than those shown the female version to cite Robert's/Shona's own character or personality as a cause.

J.23 In general, the 2006 results are consistent with those for 2004. However, among those shown the male version of the scenario, the proportion who felt the symptoms could be caused by Robert's own character or personality has risen by almost 25 percentage points. Like other changes in attitudes observed throughout this section, this increase could also be accounted for, in part, by the media representation of mental health problems - among men. For example, some of the negative media coverage characterised people with mental health problems as being male, dangerous and having problems which were intractable, in other words characteristics of the individual (i.e., character or personality).

Table J.8: Schizophrenia scenario. Likely causes of schizophrenia

Source: Ipsos MORI

J.24 Older people were more likely than younger groups to think that the symptoms could be attributed to Robert's/Shona's own character or personality (male version: 71% of people aged 75 and over compared with 51% of those aged 35 to 44 years) or fate (male version: 34% of people aged 75 and over, compared with 18% of people aged 35 to 44 years).

J.25 There were also differences by experience of mental ill-health. Those with personal or proxy experience were less likely than those with no experience to think that the symptoms could be caused by Robert or Shona's own character or personality (male version: 61% and 58% versus 72% respectively), or Robert/Shona's own fault (male version: 8% and 10% versus 30%), and more likely to think the symptoms were caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain (male version: 76% and 79% versus 69%), or a genetic or inherited problem (male version: 64% and 65% versus 52%). Additionally, among those shown the female version of the scenario, people with personal or proxy experience were also more likely to think the symptoms could be caused by stressful or disturbing events (93% and 94% versus 83%) and less likely to think they were caused by fate (73% and 76% thought this was unlikely, compared with 60%).

Support mechanisms for the person in the schizophrenia scenario

J.26 When asked who the best person to help Robert/Shona would be, around half mentioned a family doctor, a psychiatrist and a qualified counsellor. Those asked to consider the female scenario were more likely than those shown the male scenario to think a friend or neighbour would be the best person to help, while those shown the male version were more likely to mention someone in his family.

J.27 Among those shown the male version, the proportion who thought someone in the family would be the best person to help has risen between 2004 and 2006. Meanwhile, among those shown the female version, the proportion who said a friend or neighbour would be the best help has risen and the proportion who thought someone with the same problem could help has fallen.

Table J.9: Schizophrenia scenario. Support for Robert/Shona

Source: Ipsos MORI

J.28 Men were more likely than women to suggest that someone in the family would be the best person to help (male version: 52% versus 40%) while women were more likely to suggest a qualified counsellor (male version: 57% versus 41%). This may reflect the fact that women are more likely to seek professional help in response to health concerns (e.g., Galdas et al., 2005). There was also some variation by age, with younger groups being more likely than older people to suggest someone in the family (male version: 62% of people aged 16 to 24 years, compared with 38% of people aged 60 to 64 years).

Where the person described in the schizophrenia scenario should live

J.29 As in 2004, around three in five respondents felt that Robert/Shona should live in their own home, while most of the remaining respondents felt they should live in special housing with professional support in the community. The results are consistent for both the male and female versions of the scenarios.

Table J.10: Schizophrenia scenario. Suitable place for Robert/Shona to live

Source: Ipsos MORI

Schizophrenia scenario: possibility of harm violence

J.30 Consistent with 2004 results, around seven in ten felt that Robert/Shona was likely to do something harmful or violent to him/herself.

Table J.11: Schizophrenia scenario. Likelihood of doing something harmful/violent to him/herself

Source: Ipsos MORI

J.31 Among those shown the male version, younger people were more likely than older groups to think that Robert would harm himself (81% of people aged 16 to 24 year versus, for example, 52% of people aged 55 to 59 years). There were few other notable sub-group differences for this item.

J.32 Around a third felt that Robert/Shona was likely to harm others. While the figures for the male scenario were consistent with those for 2004, the proportion suggesting that Shona was likely to harm others has fallen by 10 percentage points.

Table J.12: Schizophrenia scenario. Likelihood of doing something harmful/violent to others

Source: Ipsos MORI

J.33 Again, younger people who were shown the male version of the scenario proved more likely than people in older groups to think that Robert would harm others (59% of those aged 16 to 24 years versus, for example, 23% of people aged 55 to 59 years).

J.34 Among those shown the female version, people with personal or proxy experience of mental ill-health were less likely than those with no experience to say that Shona would do something harmful to others (66% and 68% thought this unlikely compared with 50% of those with no experience), although in part this reflects the fact that those with no experience were more likely to give a 'don't know' response.

Social interaction with the person in the schizophrenia scenario

J.35 In terms of willingness to interact with the person described in the schizophrenia scenario, the majority of respondents said they would be willing to move next door to Robert/Shona, spend an evening socialising with them, make friends with them, start working closely with them and do them a favour. However, only around one in ten were willing to have Robert/Shona provide childcare for someone in their family.

J.36 Respondents shown the female version of the scenario were generally less wary of the person in the schizophrenia scenario than those shown the male version. Thus more respondents considering the female scenario said they would spend an evening socialising with Shona, start working closely with Shona and have Shona marry into the family.

J.37 As with the depression scenarios, respondents were generally less willing to interact with the person in the schizophrenia scenario than in 2004. Specifically, the proportion of respondents shown either version of the scenario who said they would make friends with Robert/Shona has fallen. Similarly, those considering the male scenario in 2006 were less likely than in 2004 to say they would work with Robert, and those considering the female scenario were significantly less likely in 2006 to say they would move next door to Shona, do her a favour or have her look after their children.

Table J.13: Schizophrenia scenario. Social interaction with Robert/Shona

Source: Ipsos MORI

J.38 Among those shown the female version, women were more willing to make friends with Shona (82% versus 74%), and those with personal or proxy experience of mental ill-health were more willing than those with no experience to have Shona marry into the family (52% and 43% versus 36%).

J.39 For both versions, older respondents were less willing than younger groups to work closely with Robert/Shona (female version: 30% of people aged 75 and over were unwilling versus 10% of people aged 25 to 34 years), or have them provide childcare (female version: 69% of people aged 75 and over were unwilling, versus 32% of people aged 16 to 24 year). Among those shown the male version, older groups were also less willing to have Robert marry into the family (64% of people aged 75 and over were unwilling, compared with 20% of people aged 16 to 24 years).

J.40 People with personal or proxy experience of mental ill-health were more willing than those with no experience to start working closely with Robert/Shona (female version: 31% and 23% were very willing versus 12%). And, among those shown the female version, people with personal or proxy experience were more willing to spend an evening socialising with Shona (80% and 76% versus 64%).

Freedoms and rights of person with schizophrenia

J.41 Around half of respondents shown either the female or male version of the schizophrenia scenario felt that it was likely that Robert's/Shona's freedoms and rights might have to be limited because of their symptoms (50% of those shown the male scenario and 52% of those shown the female one).

Diagnosis of schizophrenia

J.42 Around two in five of those shown the female version of the schizophrenia scenario and 35% of those shown the male version correctly attributed the symptoms described. A range of other diagnoses were suggested by the remaining respondents. Around one in five in each case thought that Robert/Shona could be suffering from depression while one in ten suggested they were suffering from a nervous breakdown (table J.14 below).

J.43 The results are broadly comparable with 2004; the only difference is that among those shown the male version of the scenario, where the proportion who thought Robert was suffering from depression has risen.

Table J.14: Schizophrenia scenario. Diagnosis

Source: Ipsos MORI

J.44 People with personal or proxy experience of mental ill-health were more likely than those with no experience to correctly diagnose schizophrenia (male version: 33% and 28% versus 18%). Among those shown the male version, women were more likely to give the correct diagnosis than men (31% versus 21%). There was no gender differences among those shown the female version.

Stress scenario

Scenario text

Causes of symptoms of stress

J.45 As in 2004, respondents felt that the most likely cause of the symptoms depicted in the stress scenario was stressful or disturbing events in Robert's/Shona's life. The next most commonly suggested causes were the circumstances in which Robert/Shona lives, followed by Robert's/Shona's own character or personality and physical illness. Respondents shown the female version of the scenario were more likely than those shown the male version to associate the symptoms with the way Robert/Shona was brought up.

J.46 Between 2004 and 2006 there has been an increase in the proportion of respondents who said the symptoms may have been caused by Robert's/Shona's own character or personality. Among those shown the female version of the scenario, there has also been an increase in the proportion identifying the way Shona was brought up, while the proportions mentioning fate and physical illness have decreased.

Table J.15: Stress scenario. Likely causes of stress

Source: Ipsos MORI

J.47 Among those shown the female version of the scenario, men were more likely than women to think the symptoms were due to a genetic or inherited problem (50% versus 40%) or physical illness (39% versus 27%).

J.48 There was also variation by age among those shown the male version of the scenario: those in the oldest age group were the most likely to think the symptoms of stress were caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain (20% compared with 68% of those aged 16-24) while those in the youngest age group were among the most likely to think the symptoms were due to fate (77% compared with 55% of those aged over 75 years).

J.49 Among those shown the male version of the scenario, those with personal or proxy experience of mental ill-health were more likely than those with no experience to attribute the symptoms to a chemical imbalance in the brain (61% of those with personal experience and 59% of those with proxy experience versus 43% of those with no experience) while among those shown the female scenario, those with no experience were more likely than those with personal experience to feel the symptoms were Shona's own fault.

Support mechanisms for the person in the stress scenario

J.50 The best person to help Robert/Shona was thought to be a doctor, although this was closely followed by someone in the family. Around two in five also mentioned a qualified counsellor or a friend or neighbour. Those shown the female version of the scenario were more likely than those shown the male version to mention friends or neighbours as sources of support, while those shown the male version were more likely to mention family members. The results are consistent with those for 2004 (table J.16 below).

Table J.16: Stress scenario. Support for Robert/Shona

Source: Ipsos MORI

J.51 Among those shown the female scenario, those who had personal experience of a mental health problem were more likely than those with no experience to think a family doctor would be the best person to help (72% versus 58%). There was little other sub-group variation.

Where the person described in the stress scenario should live

J.52 In line with the 2004 findings, a majority of respondents thought the best place for Robert/Shona to live would be in their own home and around one in ten felt they should live in special housing with professional support in the community.

Table J.17: Stress. Suitable place for Robert/Shona to live

Source: Ipsos MORI

Stress scenario: possibility of harm/violence

J.53 Around one in five respondents thought it likely Robert/Shona would do something harmful or violent to him/herself but the figure was lower among those shown the female version of the scenario. These findings are broadly consistent with those reported in 2004.

Table J.18: Stress scenario. Likelihood of doing something harmful/violent to him/herself

Source: Ipsos MORI

J.54 A minority of respondents shown the stress scenario felt that Robert/Shona would be likely to do something harmful or violent to others. This is consistent with 2004.

Table J.19: Stress scenario. Likelihood of doing something harmful/violent to others

Source: Ipsos MORI

Social interaction with the person in the stress scenario

J.55 In terms of respondents' willingness to interact with the person in the stress scenario, the results are in some respects consistent with those for 2004. Thus large majorities were willing to do Robert/Shona a favour, make friends with them, spend an evening socialising with them or move next door to them. However, there were also some notable differences in the two sets of results. Among those shown the male version of the scenario, the proportions willing to move next to Robert or to do him a favour has fallen. And, among those shown the female version of the scenario, the proportion willing to make friends with Shona has decreased.

J.56 As was the case for both depression and schizophrenia, respondents were generally more willing to interact with a female showing symptoms of stress than with a male showing the same symptoms. This was particularly the case with respect to having him marry into the family or doing him a favour.

Table J.20: Stress scenario. Social interaction with Robert/Shona

Source: Ipsos MORI

J.57 Among those shown the male version of the scenario, women were more likely than men to be willing to move next door to Robert (81% versus 71%) while among those shown the female version of the scenario, women were more likely than men to be willing to spend an evening socialising with Shona (87% versus 80%).

J.58 Younger respondents were more likely than older respondents to be willing to have Robert/Shona marry into the family (male version:73% of those aged 25-34 compared with 24% of those aged 65-74).

J.59 Among those shown the male version of the scenario, those with personal or proxy experience of a mental health problem were more likely than those with no personal experience to be willing to move next door to Robert (79% and 79% versus 67%), make friends with Robert (89% and 87% versus 75%), start working closely with Robert (78% and 80% versus 63%).

Freedoms and rights of person with stress

J.60 When asked if the person described in the stress scenario might have to have their freedoms and rights limited, around one in five thought this likely (18% of those shown the male scenario and 25% of those shown the female scenario). This was lower than the proportions recorded among those shown the depression and schizophrenia scenarios which may reflect the less serious nature of the stress-related symptoms.

Diagnosis of stress

J.61 Consistent with the findings from 2004, around one in ten attributed the symptoms described in the scenario to severe stress. However, almost half thought Robert/Shona was exhibiting symptoms of depression and around one in five thought he/she was experiencing an anxiety disorder.

Table J.21: Stress scenario. Diagnosis

Source: Ipsos MORI

« Previous | Contents | Next »