Exploring Attitudes Towards Using Psychiatric Medication for Mental Disorders Through the Lens of the Theory of Planned Behavior Público
Khanna, Muskaan (Spring 2021)
Published
Abstract
The stigma associated with and the tension surrounding mental health and mental disorders can be significant barriers that prevent individuals from seeking help and treatment. In order to better understand decision-making related to mental health treatment, the present study examined several factors influencing the decision to use psychiatric medication to treat depressive and anxiety disorders through the lens of the Theory of Planned Behavior. Undergraduate participants (N=138) completed an online survey that assessed personal attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control as predictors of intention to use psychiatric medication; gender and the degree of closeness to an individual with a diagnosed mental disorder were also measured. As predicted, the Theory of Planned Behavior factors (i.e., attitudes, subjective norms and perceived behavioral control) significantly predicted the intent to use psychiatric medication to treat depressive and anxiety disorders; of these, personal attitudes was found to be the strongest predictor of intent. However, gender and the degree of closeness to an individual with a mental health diagnosis did not significantly predict the intent to use psychiatric medication to treat depressive and anxiety disorders. Results suggest that The Theory of Planned Behavior is an appropriate model that can be used to understand decisions in the mental health domain, but more work is needed to better understand the precise nature and relative strengths of these factors in predicting various deliberate decisions regarding mental health and treatment.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Introduction 9
Mental Health Sphere 9
Theory of Planned Behavior 13
Current Study 17
Hypotheses 18
Method 19
Participants 19
Materials and Measures 20
Procedure 21
Design 21
Results 23
Descriptive Statistics 23
Tests of Main Hypotheses 23
Exploratory Analyses with Additional Variables 24
Discussion 28
Main Hypotheses 29
Exploratory Hypotheses 30
Strengths 32
Limitations 34
Future Directions 36
Conclusion 38
References 39
Tables 44
Figures 56
Appendices 59
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