Attitudes related to social distance between commissioned welfare volunteers (minsei-iin) and people with mental illness

Objective: This study explored the factors influencing commissioned welfare volunteers’ (CWVs) attitudes toward mental illnesses and how their attitudes correlated with their social distance from people with mental illness. Materials and Methods: Data from 223 CWVs were analyzed statistically. Factor extractions for the Image for Mental Illness Scale (IMI) and Social Distance Scale (SDS) were calculated. We examined the relations between factors in IMI and SDS. Results: CWVs’ attitudes were classified as Understanding (understanding of the condition), Secure (feelings of safety in the presence of those with mental illness), and Activity (reactions to the behaviors of people with mental illness). Social distance from those with mental illness was classified as Public and Private Interactions. CWVs’ interactions with people with mental illness were significantly influenced by feeling Secure in the presence of the latter. Low Public and Private Interactions were influenced by older age. CWVs’ “experience in providing consultations for mental illness” led to the avoidance of Private Interactions. Conclusion: CWVs should feel safe when involved in Public or Private Interactions with individuals with mental illness. CWVs reported a preference for a higher level of social distance from people with mental illness.