A survey of attitudes to depression in the general public: A comparison of age and gender differences

Abstract

Background: Previous studies have identified the presence and persistence of negative attitudes towards depression in the lay public and have identified that older adults have more negative attitudes towards depression than younger adults. There are mixed findings in differences in attitudes amongst male and females, with some indication that males have more negative attitudes than females, though some studies report no differences between males and females. This study seeks to examine attitudes towards depression in the general public with an interest in age and gender differences in attitudes. Method: With an overall response rate of 80%, 322 medical outpatients (and visitors) completed a short vignette style questionnaire assessing attitudes to depression. Fifty four percent of the sample were female and forty one percent over 65 years of age. Results: From the responses to the questionnaire, using factor analysis, four themes emerged; 'familiarity with depression', 'recognition of depression as a mental illness', and 'negative attitudes about depression'. Significant differences in attitudes to depression were found among younger and older adults and males and females. Conclusion: Future educational campaigns aimed at the general public should concentrate their efforts on older adults and male lay people, who hold the most negative attitudes towards depression.