Psychology Faculty Publications

Undergraduate Students' Perceptions of Practicing Psychiatrists

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

11-2012

Journal Title

Journal of Psychiatric Practice

Volume

18

Issue

6

First Page

460

Last Page

466

Abstract

This article reports research findings from a sur­vey of 261 students regarding their perceptions of psychiatrists. Overall, students view psychia­trists as competent and prestigious. At the same time, however, only approximately half of respondents reported having a "positive view" of these professionals and around one-third were neutral. College students view psychiatrists as effective for treating relatively severe mental health problems, although depression was not considered to be a psychiatrist's relative strong suit (only half viewed them as being effective). Some confusion between psychiatrists and psy­chologists seemed apparent. Although students did not consider the media a highly reliable source of information, media sources nonethe­less appeared to play a dominant role in determining how college students framed psychiatry roles. We discuss the results in the context of the need for further education by the specialty of psychiatry and the importance of reversing what appears to be some negative stereotyping.

Keywords

Psychiatrists, undergradute students

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