Knowledge about, attitudes toward, and willingness to undergo electroconvulsive therapy among mental health patients, staff, and family members

Objectives: It has been argued that electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is underused because of lack of knowledge and stigmatic negative attitudes toward it. Methods: The present study assessed and compared knowledge of attitudes toward, and willingness to undergo ECT among 227 participants from three groups: mental health staff members (N = 104), people with serious mental illness (SMI) (N = 61), and family members of people with SMI (N = 62). Participants completed questionnaires, which assessed knowledge about and attitude toward ECT as well as willingness to be treated with ECT. Results: Results showed staff members as most knowledgeable, with most positive attitudes, and most willing to undergo ECT. Family members showed less knowledge, a less positive attitude, and a lower degree of willingness, whereas people with SMI demonstrated the least in all three variables. Conclusions: Results suggest that attitudes toward and willingness to undergo ECT are influenced by the degree of direct impact and personal relevance as well as knowledge about it and attitudes toward it.