Clinical Psychologists' Perceptions of Persons with Mental Illness

Authors

Lynn M. Servais, Marquette University
Stephen M. Saunders, Marquette UniversityFollow

Document Type

Article

Language

eng

Publication Date

4-2007

Publisher

American Psychological Association

Source Publication

Professional Psychology: Research and Practice

Source ISSN

0735-7028

Abstract

Clinical psychologists have an ethical responsibility to monitor the nature and appropriateness of their attitudes toward persons with mental illness. This article presents the results of a survey of randomly selected clinical psychologists who were asked to rate the effectiveness, understandability, safety, worthiness, desirability, and similarity (to the rater) of persons with moderate depression, borderline features, and schizophrenia. The results show that psychologists perceive these individuals differently with respect to these characteristics. The results also suggest that psychologists disidentify or distance themselves from persons with personality and psychotic conditions. Implications for quality improvement and stigma reduction in the field of professional psychology are discussed.

Comments

Accepted version. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, Vol. 38, No. 2 (April 2007): 214-219. DOI. © 2007 American Psychological Association. Used with permission.

Recommended Citation

Servais, Lynn M. and Saunders, Stephen M., "Clinical Psychologists' Perceptions of Persons with Mental Illness" (2007). Psychology Faculty Research and Publications. 300.
https://epublications.marquette.edu/psych_fac/300