Abstract

This research was conducted using a descriptive study design for the assessment of attitude and expressed behaviour towards mental illness among adult population of a selected rural community of South 24 Parganas District, West Bengal by Ayesha Sk, Srijani Trivedi, Srabani Mondal, Yasmina Khatun, Susmita Kar, Rajlakshmi Das and Samapti Mondal with the objectives to assess attitude and expressed behaviour towards mental illness among adult population, to figure out the corelation between attitude and expressed behaviour towards mental illness among adult population and to analyze the correlation between expressed behaviour of adult population towards mental illness and chosen demographic characteristics. A quantitative research approach and a descriptive survey research design were adopted for the study. 50 adult persons of all genders of Bishalakshmitala, Burul, South 24 Parganas were selected as sample by purposive sampling technique. A structured interview protocol was used to collect demographic characteristics. Standardized tool the Community Attitude to Mental Illness (CAMI – 12) Scale to assess attitude and Standardized tool Reported & Intended Behaviour (RIB) Scale to assess expressed behaviour towards mental illness among adult population were used. The data were collected from 26.03.26 to 03.04.26. The obtained data were analyzed and interpreted through the application of descriptive and inferential statistical methods. It was found that 26% adult population were both in the age groups 18 – 29 years and 40 – 49 years and 60 - 65 age group accounted for a tenth of them. 86% of them were female and 14% of them were male. 40% of them had completed secondary level of education and 10% had completed graduation and above. 72% of them had no mentally ill family member and 28% had mentally ill person in their family. On the basis of attitude score the majority of adult population, i.e. 64% had moderately favourable attitude, 24% had most favourable attitude, and 13.91% had a less favourable attitude towards mental illness. On the basis of intended behaviour 88% had average behaviour, 12% had good behaviour, and no one had poor behaviour towards mental illness. This study has practical implications for nursing care, education, management, and research.

• 1.   Singh Chouhan M. A study to assess the awareness and attitude towards mental health services among the rural population in selected communities with a view to develop an awareness programme. IOSR Journal of Nursing and Health Science. 2025 Mar. – Apr ; 14 (2) : 63-69. Available from: www. iosrjournals.org
• 2.   Kulkarni KS, Joshi MN, Maliye C, Sathe HS. Awareness and attitude about mental illness in the rural population of India. Indian Journal of Psychiatry. 2023 Oct; 65(10):1069-1077.
• 3.   De B, Halder S. Assessment of knowledge and attitude towards mental illness among young and older people, in a selected rural community, Bankura, West Bengal. International Journal of Advanced Psychiatric Nursing. 2023 January; 5(1): 17-22.
• 4.   Bharti A, Singh H, Singh D, Kumar V. Behaviour of general population toward mentally ill persons in digital India: Where are we? Industrial Psychiatry Journal. 2021 Jan; 30 (1):106.
• 5.   Sinha S, Manna M, Roy J. Assessment of the Knowledge and Attitude of Adults Regarding Mental Illness in Selected Rural Community, West Bengal. International Journal of Health Sciences and Research. 2020 August; 10 (8); 175 – 182. Available from: www.ijhsr.org
• 6.   Bagchi A, Sarkar P, Basu R. Knowledge, attitude and practice towards mental health illnesses in an urban community in West Bengal: a community based study. International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health. 2020 Mar; 7(3): 1078-1083. Available from: http://www.ijcmph.com
• 7.   Boti N, Hussen S, Ayele G, Gebeyehu S, Kassa M, Feleke T, Mersha A, Temesgen G. Community perception and attitude towards people with Schizophrenia among residents of Arba Minch Zuria Districts, Southern Ethiopia : a community-based cross sectional study. Risk management health policy. 2020 Sep 4;13:1437–1446.
• 8.   Abolfotouch MA, Alhashem A, Almutairi AF, Salam M, Almutairi Z, Adlan AA et al. Attitudes toward mental illness, mentally ill persons, and help-seeking among the Saudi public and sociodemographic correlates. Psychology Research and Behaviour Management. 2019 Jan 14;12: 45–54.
• 9.   Irasangappa BM, Naganuri M. Knowledge and attitude towards mental illness among adults of selected urban community. International Journal of Practical Nursing. 2017 Sep – Dec; 5 (3): 145 – 150

Data Sharing Statement

Funding