Pre-service Teachers Perception, Knowledge and Attitudes toward Stigmatization of Mentally Ill Patients in Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile- Ife, Osun State, Nigeria

The study investigated the pre- service teachers’ perception, knowledge and attitudes towards stigmatization of mentally ill patient in Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile- Ife, Osun State, Nigeria. It further examined the perceived causes of stigmatization, effect of stigmatization on mentally ill- patients as well as the measure that can be adopted to reduce and eliminate stigmatization of mentally ill patients in our society. It further investigated the influence of gender on pre- service teachers’ perception and attitude towards stigmatization of mentally ill patients on one hand and the influence of gender on pre- service teachers’ knowledge of mental illness on the other. The study adopted the descriptive survey research design. The population consisted of all pre- service teachers in the Faculty of Education. The sample comprised 400 pre- service teachers randomly selected across four departments in the faculty. Data for the study were collected using a questionnaire titled “Questionnaire on Pre- service Teachers Perception, Knowledge and Attitudes towards Stigmatization of Mentally Ill- Patients”. Data collected were analysed using frequency counts, percentages, Relative Significance Index and chi- square statistical method of analysis. The results showed the major causes of stigmatization with their respective Relative Significance Index (RSI) values as perceived dangerous and unpredictable behaviour of mentally ill patients (RSI=0.75); lack of recognition of mental illness as other illness (RSI=0.71); inability to live independently (RSI=0.71). It is concluded that the perception of pre-service teachers towards stigmatization of mentally ill patients as well as adequate knowledge of mental illness did not reflect on their attitude towards the phenomenon.