HPA’s Health and Lifestyles Survey (HLS) monitors New Zealanders’ behaviour and attitudes towards a range of health topics, including mental health. This fact sheet reports on attitudes towards social inclusion of people with mental illness within a sports club setting.
Methodology
Respondents in the 2014 HLS were asked about their attitudes towards acceptance and inclusion of a community member with mental illness and distress using the following statement:
You are a member of a local sports club. A new person wants to join the club. You know they have schizophrenia. When they are alone, they often shout and argue as if someone else was there with them. They speak carefully using uncommon and sometimes made-up words. They are polite but avoid talking with other people.
Respondents were given a number of scenarios attached to the statement. They were asked if they would be comfortable (yes/no): a) ‘if they were a member of the sports club?’; b) ‘if they were in your sports team?’; c) ‘socialising with them outside of the sports club?’; and d) ‘inviting them to your house for a meal?’.
Responses were compared by gender, age, ethnicity, neighbourhood deprivation status, educational background and employment status. Only those group differences that were statistically significant (p < .05) are reported.
Key Results
• There was a decrease in the comfort level respondents expressed as the scenarios became more socially inclusive (ie, the more interaction the respondent would have with a person with a diagnosis of schizophrenia).
• There was an increase in both the discomfort level of respondents and those who did not know if they would be comfortable or not, as the scenarios became more socially inclusive.
• Responses to the social inclusion scenarios generally differed by age, ethnicity and educational background.