Attitude of Austrian students toward psychotherapy.

Objectives: Mental health issues are of ever growing importance in modern society. While there are numerous studies on the attitude of the general public toward psychiatry in general, little research has been done concerning the specific field of psychotherapy. Methods: 231 Austrian students out of four different university branches of study (medicine, psychology, pedagogy, economy) were investigated concerning their direct and indirect (connotations and associations) attitudes toward psychotherapy. Results: Attitudes vary significantly between the groups with medical and economy students viewing psychotherapy distinctly less favourably than psychology and pedagogy students. Associations to psychotherapy are still heavily influenced by old stereotypes. Conclusions: The importance of attitudes and beliefs in the clinical process is discussed. We also call for a more open discussion of issues concerning mental health and psychotherapy in public to reduce still prevalent stereotypes. There is also need for further implementation of psychotherapy-related content in the medical curricula. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]