Adolescents and Psychosis: A Study of the Attitudes in a Northern Italian Town.

Purpose: To evaluate adolescents’ attitudes toward people with psychosis. Methods: Students in two high schools in a northern Italian town were surveyed using a 6-item questionnaire. Students were selected based on availability and interest of teachers towards psychosis. Approval of each headmaster of both schools was achieved. Teachers administered the questionnaire during class time. Results: A total of 408 students were surveyed (57.8% male and 42.2% female). Negative opinions were highest for treatability items (8.6% believed that effective therapies exist for the treatment of people with psychosis; 16.4% believed that most people with psychosis could recover or improve; and 61.3% reported that people with psychosis should be treated in hospitals with lengthy admissions). Conclusions: Students had negative attitudes towards people with psychosis, particularly in regard to their treatment and recovery. Implications: It is important to promote public health actions designed to increase students’ knowledge about models of community-based care and recovery.