Shannah Marie Alkonga

St. Paul University Iloilo, Philippines

Title: Attitudes towards Mental Illness among Student Nurses

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Biography

Abstract

Background:

Mental illness remains a major public health concern worldwide. Despite increasing awareness regarding mental health, stigma and negative attitudes toward individuals with mental illness continue to persist among healthcare professionals and student nurses. Such attitudes may influence the quality of psychiatric nursing care and patient outcomes.

Purpose:

This study aimed to determine the attitudes of student nurses towards mental illness among Bachelor of Science in Nursing students at St. Paul University Iloilo during the Academic Year 2025–2026.

Methods:

The study utilized a descriptive-quantitative research design. A total of 213 student nurses from Levels I to IV were selected through stratified random sampling. Data were gathered using an adapted and modified version of the Attitude Scale for Mental Illness (ASMI) developed by Ng and Chan (2000). Frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, independent samples t-test, and one-way ANOVA were used in the analysis of data.

Results:

Findings revealed that most participants were female and had personal encounters with persons with mental illness. Student nurses demonstrated positive attitudes in terms of separatism, stereotyping, and pessimistic prediction. Negative attitudes were observed in restrictiveness and benevolence, while highly negative attitudes were identified in stigmatization. Significant differences were found in stigmatization when grouped according to sex, year level, and personal encounter with persons with mental illness.