The effects of person-first language on graduate social work students' perceptions and treatment of persons with psychoses

Thesis (M.S.W.) California State University, Los Angeles, 2012Committee members: Sofya Bagdasaryan, Pauline Agbayani, Dale WeaverDiscrimination against people with mental illness affects a large segment of the population. The language used to describe individuals with mental illnesses can impact how they are perceived and treated by professionals entering the field of mental health. A review of the literature revealed associations between certain variables and mental health professionals' judgments and decision making. A vignette-based survey was conducted, assessing graduate social work students' perceptions and treatment of an individual who had a disorder of psychosis. It was hypothesized that the use of person-first language would result in more positive perceptions and more effective treatment for the individual; however, the results did not indicate a significant relationship. Recommendations for future studies examining the relationship between person-first language and the judgments and decision making of mental health professionals are provided