Bridging the Gap: Understanding and Reducing Social Stigma Towards Mental Illness in Nursing Students

Nico Varela in Health & Wellness November 2025 • 4 min read.

"Equipping future nurses with the tools to foster empathy and acceptance can transform mental healthcare"

Mental health disorders are a growing concern worldwide, yet negative perceptions and stigma surrounding these conditions persist. This stigma not only affects individuals seeking help but also creates barriers to social integration and recovery. For future healthcare professionals, particularly nursing students, understanding and addressing this stigma is crucial to providing compassionate and effective care.

Research indicates that negative attitudes toward mental illness are prevalent not only in the general population but also among healthcare professionals. These attitudes can impact the quality of care provided, influencing treatment decisions, patient interactions, and overall healthcare outcomes. Therefore, it's essential to explore the factors that contribute to these attitudes and identify strategies to foster empathy and acceptance among nursing students.

A recent study published in the Journal of Korean Academy of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing delves into the social distance attitudes of nursing students toward adults with mental disorders. By examining the relationship between social distance and attitudes, this research offers valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities in shaping a more inclusive and supportive healthcare environment.

Key Factors Influencing Attitudes Towards Mental Illness

Symbolic illustration of bridging the gap between nursing students and individuals with mental illness.

The study, conducted with 359 nursing students in South Korea, explored the factors associated with social distance attitudes toward adults with mental disorders. Social distance, in this context, refers to the degree of acceptance or rejection individuals feel toward people with mental illness. The researchers used a descriptive research design, collecting data through questionnaires assessing social distance and attitudes.

The study revealed several key findings. Participants generally showed less authoritarianism and more benevolence in their attitudes towards adults with mental disorders. However, attitudes toward people with mental disorders emerged as the strongest predictor of social distance, accounting for 35% of the variance. This highlights the significant impact of underlying beliefs and feelings on how willing nursing students are to engage with individuals experiencing mental health challenges. These are the important factor affecting attitudes:

Lack of Knowledge and Understanding: Insufficient education about mental illness can lead to misconceptions and stereotypes, fostering fear and avoidance.
Personal Beliefs and Values: Preconceived notions and biases can influence attitudes toward individuals perceived as "different" or "other."
Fear of Interaction: Concerns about safety, communication difficulties, or potential discomfort can create reluctance to engage with people with mental disorders.
Social and Cultural Norms: Societal stigma and negative portrayals of mental illness in media can reinforce discriminatory attitudes.

Understanding these influencing factors is crucial for designing effective interventions to reduce social distance and promote more inclusive attitudes. By addressing misconceptions, challenging biases, and fostering empathy, we can create a more supportive environment for both nursing students and individuals with mental disorders.

Moving Towards a More Inclusive Future

Addressing social distance and promoting positive attitudes toward mental illness among nursing students is an ongoing process that requires a multi-faceted approach. By equipping future healthcare professionals with the knowledge, skills, and empathy needed to provide quality care, we can create a more inclusive and supportive healthcare system for all. This includes continuous training, awareness programs, and advocacy.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.12934/jkpmhn.2016.25.4.356, Alternate LINK

Title: Social Distance Attitudes Of Nursing Students Towards Adults With Mental Disorders

Subject: General Earth and Planetary Sciences

Journal: Journal of Korean Academy of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing

Publisher: The Korean Academy of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing

Authors: So Young Lee, Kyunghee Lee

Published: 2016-01-01

Everything You Need To Know

What does 'social distance' mean in the context of attitudes toward mental illness, and how does it relate to the attitudes of nursing students?

Social distance, in the context of attitudes toward mental illness, refers to the degree of acceptance or rejection that individuals feel toward people with mental disorders. It's a measure of how willing someone is to engage with or include individuals experiencing mental health challenges in their social circles and everyday life. The recent study highlighted that negative attitudes are a strong predictor of greater social distance.

What are some key factors that contribute to negative attitudes towards mental illness among nursing students?

Several factors contribute to negative attitudes toward mental illness among nursing students. These include a lack of knowledge and understanding about mental health disorders, personal beliefs and values that may harbor biases, fear of interaction due to concerns about safety or communication difficulties, and social and cultural norms that perpetuate stigma. Addressing these factors is crucial for reducing social distance.

What research methods were employed in the study featured from the Journal of Korean Academy of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing?

The study published in the *Journal of Korean Academy of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing* primarily used a descriptive research design. Data was collected through questionnaires to assess social distance and attitudes among 359 nursing students in South Korea. The study aimed to identify the factors associated with social distance attitudes toward adults with mental disorders, revealing that attitudes toward people with mental disorders emerged as the strongest predictor of social distance.

What are some effective strategies for addressing social distance and promoting positive attitudes toward mental illness among nursing students?

Addressing social distance and promoting positive attitudes among nursing students requires a multifaceted approach. Key strategies include continuous training and awareness programs to improve knowledge and understanding of mental illness. Challenging personal biases and preconceived notions through education and empathy-building exercises is also essential. Furthermore, creating a supportive environment that encourages interaction with individuals experiencing mental health challenges can help reduce fear and promote acceptance. Advocacy at the institutional and societal levels is also crucial for creating a more inclusive healthcare system.

According to the study, what was the strongest predictor of social distance, and what does this finding imply for interventions aimed at improving attitudes among nursing students?

The study found that attitudes toward people with mental disorders emerged as the strongest predictor of social distance, accounting for 35% of the variance. This means that the underlying beliefs and feelings nursing students hold about mental illness significantly influence their willingness to engage with individuals experiencing mental health challenges. This highlights the critical need to address these underlying attitudes to reduce social distance and promote more inclusive care. Further research could explore the specific components of these attitudes and how they interact with other factors, like authoritarianism and benevolence, to influence social distance.