Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-94fs2 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-02T20:33:00.870Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

ECT: An investigation of lay attitudes and experiences in an Irish sample

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 June 2014

Chiara Besani ,
David Hevey ,
Maeve Mangaoang  and
James V Lucey
Chiara Besani*
Affiliation:
Queen's University, Belfast, Northern Ireland
David Hevey
Affiliation:
Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
Maeve Mangaoang
Affiliation:
University College Dublin, Ireland. Health Service Executive Dublin Mid-Leinster
James V Lucey
Affiliation:
Trinity College, Dublin, and Medical Director, St Patrick's Hospital, Dublin 8, Ireland
*
*Correspondence Email: [email protected]
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Objectives: Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is one of the most controversial psychiatric treatments of the modern era. Few studies have used validated scales to examine attitudes and knowledge regarding ECT in lay people. We examined attitudes, knowledge and experience of ECT using standardised questionnaires in Irish lay people, and compared the present results with the findings from a similar study reported over 25 years previously.

Methods: A total of 103 lay people were recruited from a variety of settings and completed a questionnaire. Data were analysed using independent samples t-tests, χ2 tests and Pearson correlations.

Results: Attitudes to ECT among Irish lay people are negative and knowledge of the treatment is poor. A significant correlation (r = 0.32) was found between knowledge and attitudes, with higher levels of knowledge associated with more positive attitudes. People with relatives who experienced ECT had a significantly higher ECT knowledge than the people without such relatives (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: Results confirmed previous findings and revealed novel statistically significant factors that contributed to attitudes towards ECT. Further replications are required to examine the findings' robustness and the relationship between attitudes, knowledge and experience. Such research can help increase the understanding of ECT and remove the stigmatisation associated with ECT. Mental health education programmes should consider the relation between knowledge and attitudes to better inform programme focus and content.

Keywords

Electroconvulsive TherapyAttitudesMental health
Type
Brief Reports
Information
Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine , Volume 28 , Issue 1 , March 2011 , pp. 32 - 34
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2011

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1.Challiner, V, Griffths, L. Electroconvulsive therapy: a review of the literature. J Psychiatr Ment Health Nurs 2000; 7: 191–8.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
2.Lutchman, RD, Stevens, T, Bashir, A, Orrell, M. Mental health professionals' attitudes towards and knowledge of electroconvulsive therapy. J Ment Health 2001; 10(2): 141–50.Google Scholar
3.Freeman, CP, Cheshire, KE. Attitude studies on electroconvulsive therapy. Convuls Ther 1986; 2(1): 31–42.Google ScholarPubMed
4.Dowman, J, Patel, A, Rajput, K. Electroconvulsive therapy: attitudes and misconceptions. J ECT 2005; 21(2): 84–7.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
5.National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE). Guidance on the use of electroconvulsive therapy. London: Technology Appraisal, 2003: 59.Google Scholar
6.Kerr, RA, McGrath, JJ, O'Kearney, TO, Price, J. ECT: misconceptions and attitudes. Aust NZ J Psychiatry 1982; 16:43–9.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
7.Santa Maria, MP, Baumeister, AA, Gouvier, WD. Public knowledge about electroconvulsive therapy: A demographically stratified investigation. Int J Rehab Health 1998; 4: 111–6.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
8.Lauber, C, Nordt, C, Falcato, L, Rossler, W. Can a seizure help? The public attitudes toward electroconvulsive therapy. Psychiatry Res 2005; 134: 205–9.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
9.O'Shea, B, McGennis, A. ECT: Lay attitudes and experience – A pilot study. Ir Med J 1983; 76(1): 40–3.Google ScholarPubMed
10.Goldbolom, DS, Kussin, DJ. Electroconvulsive therapy training in Canada: a survey of senior residents in psychiatry. Can J Psychiatry 1991; 36(2): 126–8.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
11.Yuzda, E, Parker, K, Parker, V, Geagea, J, Goldbloom, D. Electroconvulsive therapy training in Canada: A call for greater regulation. Can J Psychiat 2002; 47(10): 938–44.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
12.Freeman, CPL, Kendell, RE. ECT: Patient's experience and attitudes. Br J Psychiat 1980; 137: 8–16.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
13.Sienaert, P, De Becker, T, Vansteelandt, K, Demyttenaere, K, Peuskens, J. Patient satisfaction after electroconvulsive therapy. J ECT 2005; 21: 227–31.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
14.Teh, SPC, Helmes, E, Drake, DG. A Western Australian survey on public attitudes toward and knowledge of electroconvulsive therapy. Int J Soc Psychiat 2007; 53: 247–71.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
15.McDonald, A. The Portrayal of ECT in American movies. J ECT 2001; 17(4): 264–74CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
16.Rush, G, McCarron, S, Lucey, JV. Patient attitudes to electroconvulsive therapy. Psychiatr Bull 2007; 31: 212–4.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
17.Department of Health and Children. Quality and Fairness. A health system for you. Dublin: Stationery Office; 2001.Google Scholar
18.Report of the expert group on mental health policy. A vision for change. Dublin: Stationery Office; 2006.Google Scholar