ATTITUDES TOWARD MENTAL HEALTH AND PSYCHOTHERAPY IN A COLLECTIVISTIC MUSLIM CULTURE: VARIATIONS BY GENDER, AGE, EDUCATION, MARRIAGE, PROFESSION, AND INCOME

Abstract

Abstract: In some cultures, psychological problems and treatment are mostly not considered as important as medical illnesses. This is generally because of people's attitudes toward mental disorders and psychotherapeutic interventions. The current study involved 2702 Muslims from Pakistan. The study measured attitudes towards mental health through different dimensions. These mainly included attitudes toward mental health, attitudes towards mental disorders, attitudes towards medical illnesses, attitudes towards mentally disturbed, attitudes towards seeking psychological help for self, attitudes towards seeking psychological help for families, attitudes towards seeking psychological help for children, and attitudes towards seeking psychological help for friends. The understudied population had positive attitudes toward mental health and psychotherapy. A significant difference was found between people's attitudes towards medical illnesses and mental disorders. Attitudes based on gender, age, education, marriage, profession, and income were also significantly different. The findings of this study lead mental health practitioners and policymakers to modify their strategies for encouraging more clientele to the existing mental health facilities.