Attitudes and Action: Social Tolerance and Legal Coercion towards Those Suffering from Schizophrenia

Abstract

<p>This study examines stigma towards those suffering from schizophrenia on two levels: social tolerance and support for legal coercion. Recent research has found that counselors are more tolerant towards those suffering from schizophrenia than the general population (Smith & Cashwell, 2010; Smith & Cashwell, 2011; Crowe & Averett, 2015; Crowe et al., 2016). These studies have not examined support for legal coercion. Findings from this study indicate that counseling students have greater levels of social tolerance than undergraduates in other educational programs, there were no differences in social tolerance for counseling students when compared to other graduate students. No significant difference was found between groups in support for legal coercion. The authors examine results through humanistic and social justice lenses.</p>