Mental Health Literacy and Psychological Distress Among Village Health Volunteers
Keywords:
Mental Health Literacy, Psychological Distress, Village Health VolunteerAbstract
This correlational descriptive study aimed to study mental health literacy and psychological distress and to examine the relationship between mental health literacy and psychological distress. The sample consisted of male and female VHVs, aged 18 years and over, lives in Khon Kaen, Nong Bua Lam Phu, Nakhon Ratchasima and Sisaket provinces. with 384 participants. The data collection tools included 1) a General Information Questionnaire, 2) a Mental Health Literacy Questionnaire, and 3) the Psychological Distress Scales. Descriptive statistics and Spearman’s coefficient were used for data analysis.
The findings revealed that VHVs had overall mental health literacy scores at high, moderate, and low levels, representing 45.83%, 41.67%, and 7.55%, respectively (Mean = 129, SD = 18.56). VHVs had psychological distress scores at the low, medium, high, and highest levels representing 41.15%, 40.88%, 13.54%, and 4.43%, respectively (Mean = 18.69, SD = 6.09). Mental health literacy had a low negative correlation with psychological distress among VHVs, at the statistical significance of .05 (r = -.145). The results of this research can be used to developing mental health literacy and training for psychological distress management among VHVs. This will encourage them to be able to take care of themselves and people with mental health in the community.
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