WELL? WHAT DO YOU THINK?
7.12 There were few differences across the vignette groups with regard to the impact of Robert/Shona's upbringing. Less than 50% of people attributed each condition to upbringing.
Table 7.8: In your opinion, how likely is it that Robert's/Shona's situation might be caused by each of the following: The way Robert/Shona was brought up
Base: all = 1381
| Respondent shown vignette describing symptoms of… |
Depression (male) | Depression (female) | Schizo-phrenia (male) | Schizo-phrenia (female) | Stress (male) | Stress (female) |
% | % | % | % | % | % |
Very likely | 5 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 5 |
Somewhat likely | 40 | 30 | 41 | 34 | 41 | 41 |
Somewhat unlikely | 25 | 21 | 19 | 25 | 30 | 25 |
Very unlikely | 26 | 36 | 28 | 28 | 18 | 25 |
Don't know | 4 | 6 | 4 | 6 | 3 | 4 |
7.13 Approximately 90% of the people who considered each vignette felt that stressful events in Robert/Shona's life were a likely cause of their condition. However, 14% of people who considered the female version of the vignette describing symptoms of stress felt that there was no link between the symptoms experienced by Shona and stressful or disturbing events in her life.
Table 7.9: In your opinion, how likely is it that Robert's/Shona's situation might be caused by each of the following: Stressful or disturbing events in Robert's/Shona's life
Base: all = 1381
| Respondent shown vignette describing symptoms of… |
Depression (male) | Depression (female) | Schizo- Phrenia (male) | Schizo-phrenia (female) | Stress (male) | Stress (female) |
% | % | % | % | % | % |
Very likely | 40 | 48 | 38 | 30 | 42 | 31 |
Somewhat likely | 53 | 44 | 52 | 59 | 48 | 54 |
Somewhat unlikely | 3 | 5 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 11 |
Very unlikely | 3 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 |
Don't know | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 1 |
7.14 A genetic or inherited problem was cited as a likely cause of the condition by about half of the people who considered the stress and depression vignettes. Sixty percent of people considering the vignette which described the symptoms of schizophrenia thought it likely that Robert/Shona had a genetic or inherited problem.
Table 7.10: In your opinion, how likely is it that Robert's/Shona's situation might be caused by each of the following: Genetic or inherited problem
Base: all = 1381
| Respondent shown vignette describing symptoms of… |
Depression (male) | Depression (female) | Schizo-phrenia (male) | Schizo-phrenia (female) | Stress (male) | Stress (female) |
% | % | % | % | % | % |
Very likely | 11 | 6 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 5 |
Somewhat likely | 44 | 44 | 50 | 48 | 39 | 41 |
Somewhat unlikely | 20 | 20 | 15 | 16 | 18 | 23 |
Very unlikely | 16 | 22 | 13 | 13 | 23 | 20 |
Don't know | 10 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 8 | 10 |
7.15 Childhood abuse was mentioned as a likely cause of the condition by more than 50% of people considering each vignette, apart from the female version of the stress vignette.
Table 7.11: In your opinion, how likely is it that Robert's/Shona's situation might be caused by each of the following: Abuse Robert/Shona suffered as a child
Base: all = 1381
| Respondent shown vignette describing symptoms of… |
Depression (male) | Depression (female) | Schizo-phrenia (male) | Schizo-phrenia (female) | Stress (male) | Stress (female) |
% | % | % | % | % | % |
Very likely | 10 | 10 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 6 |
Somewhat likely | 51 | 42 | 46 | 49 | 39 | 40 |
Somewhat unlikely | 19 | 23 | 23 | 16 | 25 | 24 |
Very unlikely | 13 | 13 | 12 | 15 | 18 | 19 |
Don't know | 7 | 11 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 11 |
7.16 Fate was viewed as a likely cause of the problem by approximately a quarter of the people who considered each vignette, and there were no significant variations by vignette type.
Table 7.12: In your opinion, how likely is it that Robert's/Shona's situation might be caused by each of the following: Fate
Base: all = 1381
| Respondent shown vignette describing symptoms of… |
Depression (male) | Depression (female) | Schizo-phrenia (male) | Schizo-phrenia (female) | Stress (male) | Stress (female) |
% | % | % | % | % | % |
Very likely | 8 | 2 | 8 | 5 | 6 | 8 |
Somewhat likely | 23 | 23 | 18 | 19 | 22 | 21 |
Somewhat unlikely | 13 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 20 | 15 |
Very unlikely | 50 | 49 | 55 | 54 | 45 | 49 |
Don't know | 6 | 9 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
7.17 A physical illness was thought by a majority of each vignette group to be a likely cause of the condition described. This was notably the case for those people considering the symptoms of depression (especially the male version of this vignette).
Table 7.13: In your opinion, how likely is it that Robert's/Shona's situation might be caused by each of the following: Physical illness
Base: all = 1381
| Respondent shown vignette describing symptoms of… |
Depression (male) | Depression (female) | Schizo-phrenia (male) | Schizo-phrenia (female) | Stress (male) | Stress (female) |
% | % | % | % | % | % |
Very likely | 23 | 20 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 8 |
Somewhat likely | 60 | 54 | 46 | 57 | 49 | 61 |
Somewhat unlikely | 11 | 12 | 22 | 18 | 21 | 17 |
Very unlikely | 5 | 10 | 16 | 9 | 15 | 12 |
Don't know | 1 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 |
7.18 Between 14% and 22% of people who responded to each of the vignettes saw the situation as likely to be Robert/Shona's own fault. This view was held by one-in-three of respondents aged over 75. Those people who considered the male version of the depression vignette were the most likely to feel that Robert was to blame for his condition; those who considered the female version of this vignette were least likely to hold this view.
Table 7.14: In your opinion, how likely is it that Robert's/Shona's situation might be caused by each of the following: Robert's/Shona's own fault
Base: all = 1381
| Respondent shown vignette describing symptoms of… |
Depression (male) | Depression (female) | Schizo-phrenia (male) | Schizo-phrenia (female) | Stress (male) | Stress (female) |
% | % | % | % | % | % |
Very likely | 4 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
Somewhat likely | 17 | 13 | 13 | 16 | 18 | 17 |
Somewhat unlikely | 26 | 29 | 21 | 21 | 27 | 29 |
Very unlikely | 50 | 55 | 62 | 56 | 47 | 48 |
Don't know | 3 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 2 |
Help for Robert/Shona
7.19 Having looked at possible causes of the mental health problems, the questionnaire went on to ask for suggestions about who would be best placed to help Robert/Shona. (The options supplied to respondents are listed in table 7.15.) The most commonly suggested source of help for the person in almost all the vignettes was the family doctor (GP). However, for those respondents considering symptoms associated with schizophrenia (and the depressed Shona) the GP's input was seen to be less helpful. Approximately half of those people who considered the vignettes describing symptoms of schizophrenia and, in particular, those who viewed the male version of the vignette, felt that the specialist skills of a psychiatrist would be helpful. Qualified counsellors were also often mentioned, particularly to address the symptoms of depression. Family members were suggested as important sources of support for all three broad symptom groups.
Table 7.15: Say it was possible for any of the people on this card to help Robert/Shona. Who would be the three best people to do this?
Base: all = 1381
| Respondent shown vignette describing symptoms of… |
Depression (male) | Depression (female) | Schizo-phrenia (male) | Schizo-phrenia (female) | Stress (male) | Stress (female) |
% | % | % | % | % | % |
Someone in the family | 42 | 38 | 42 | 31 | 47 | 41 |
A friend or neighbour | 23 | 28 | 15 | 19 | 22 | 33 |
A nurse | 3 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 4 |
A home help/ carer/ care assistant | 3 | 4 | 9 | 6 | 5 | 6 |
A psychiatrist | 29 | 33 | 52 | 46 | 27 | 22 |
A psychologist | 15 | 20 | 27 | 26 | 16 | 19 |
A family doctor | 66 | 56 | 55 | 55 | 63 | 66 |
A social worker | 9 | 5 | 12 | 5 | 8 | 8 |
A qualified counsellor | 59 | 58 | 47 | 53 | 53 | 52 |
A voluntary organisation or charity | 7 | 11 | 4 | 8 | 6 | 12 |
Someone with the same problem | 33 | 34 | 21 | 28 | 37 | 29 |
Someone else | 1 | * | 1 | 2 | 2 | * |
(No one) | - | - | * | * | * | - |
(Don't know) | - | 1 | * | 1 | - | * |
Where Robert/Shona should live
7.20 People were asked to say where it would be best for Robert/Shona to live. Very few respondents thought that he or she should live alone in their own home, especially where he or she was suffering from symptoms of depression. Much larger percentages of people were in favour of Robert/Shona being at home with support from family or friends - this option was backed by almost half of those presented with symptoms of depression and stress. However, only a quarter of those who considered the vignettes detailing symptoms of schizophrenia thought that Robert or Shona should be supported in their home by family members or friends.
7.21 About half of the people who looked at vignettes describing the symptoms of depression or schizophrenia backed Robert/Shona living at home with help from professionals, as did approximately 40% of those presented with the description of stress. Only a small number of respondents advocated caring for Robert or Shona in a residential or nursing home or in hospital. However, 20% of those who looked at the vignette describing schizophrenia symptoms in a male and one-in-eight of those presented with the female version of the vignette were in favour of the use of special housing with professional support in the community.
Table 7.16: If all the options on this card were possible, where do you think it would be best for Robert/Shona to live?
Base: all = 1381
| Respondent shown vignette describing symptoms of… |
Depression (male) | Depression (female) | Schizo-phrenia (male) | Schizo-phrenia (female) | Stress (male) | Stress (female) |
% | % | % | % | % | % |
Living in their own home by themselves | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 4 |
In their own (or family's) home, with support from family members or friends | 43 | 39 | 24 | 26 | 47 | 49 |
In their own (or family's) home, with help from professionals (for example, community mental health teams) | 44 | 49 | 49 | 50 | 39 | 38 |
In special housing with professional support in the community | 8 | 6 | 21 | 13 | 6 | 6 |
In a residential or nursing home | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
In hospital | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 3 | * |
Somewhere else | - | - | 1 | * | * | - |
(Wherever he/she wants) | 1 | - | - | 1 | - | * |
(Don't know) | * | 1 | * | 1 | - | 1 |
Harming themselves or other people
7.22 Just over half of those who were presented with symptoms of depression thought that it was very/somewhat likely that Robert/Shona would do something harmful to him/herself. The same applied to only around a quarter of those who looked at cases of stress symptoms. However, about two-thirds of those respondents who were faced with symptoms of schizophrenia said that Robert/Shona was likely to harm him/herself.
Table 7.17: In your opinion, how likely is it that Robert/Shona would do something harmful or violent to him/herself?
Base: all = 1381
| Respondent shown vignette describing symptoms of… |
Depression (male) | Depression (female) | Schizo-phrenia (male) | Schizo-phrenia (female) | Stress (male) | Stress (female) |
% | % | % | % | % | % |
Very likely | 10 | 11 | 10 | 18 | 3 | 6 |
Somewhat likely | 41 | 44 | 54 | 50 | 21 | 17 |
Somewhat unlikely | 32 | 24 | 22 | 19 | 44 | 39 |
Very unlikely | 11 | 18 | 12 | 8 | 30 | 33 |
(Don't know) | 6 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 6 |
7.23 Few respondents to any of the vignettes thought that Robert or Shona was very likely to harm or be violent to other people. Between 12% and 15% of people who considered the stressed Robert/Shona and the depressed Shona thought that he or she might harm someone else. Robert with symptoms of depression was thought to be somewhat likely to cause harm to others by 21% of people who considered this vignette. However, more than a third of those who were presented with the vignettes describing the symptoms of schizophrenia thought that Shona and (more particularly) Robert might be violent to other people.
Table 7.18: In your opinion, how likely is it that Robert/Shona would do something harmful or violent to other people?
Base: all = 1381
| Respondent shown vignette describing symptoms of… |
Depression (male) | Depression (female) | Schizo-phrenia (male) | Schizo-phrenia (female) | Stress (male) | Stress (female) |
% | % | % | % | % | % |
Very likely | * | 1 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 1 |
Somewhat likely | 21 | 11 | 35 | 31 | 13 | 11 |
Somewhat unlikely | 41 | 39 | 37 | 36 | 40 | 31 |
Very unlikely | 33 | 46 | 21 | 21 | 43 | 51 |
(Don't know) | 5 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 2 | 6 |