Prior contacts and perceptions of previously mentally disturbed patients

In this study, an attempt was made to examine the effects of prior contacts with the previously mentally ill on the perception of the former mentally disturbed patients. Data was collected through self-administered questionnaires from 174 randomly selected respondents residing in Ife and Abeokuta--two towns in the south-western part of Nigeria. About 42.5% of these respondents have varying contacts with the former mentally disturbed patients. Two hypotheses were tested: (1) that respondents who have contacts with the former mentally disturbed patients will perceive such individuals more favourably than those without prior contacts; and (2) that respondents who have contacts with the former mentally disturbed patients will tend more to perceive former patients as able to perform as "normals" when compared with those without prior contacts. The two hypotheses were accepted. Certain inconsistencies were discovered in the responses of those who have some form of contacts with the former mentally disturbed patients. However, possible socio-cultural factors that could be responsible for the inconsistent responses were discussed.