Marcus Saihmingliana, Mercy Chingnunhoih and Saihlupuii Sailo
Mizoram University, Aizawl, Mizoram
Pages:, 65-74
Beliefs toward mental illness shape stigma, social inclusion, and help-seeking
behaviours. Understanding regional and gender differences in these beliefs is important
in culturally diverse settings such as Northeast India. This study examined beliefs
toward mental illness among young adults from Mizoram and Manipur, with additional
analyses by sex. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 160 young adults
(80 each from Mizoram and Manipur). Beliefs toward mental illness were assessed
using the Beliefs Toward Mental Illness Scale, comprising the dimensions of
Dangerousness, Poor Social Skills, Incurability, and Shame. Non-parametric analyses,
including Spearman’s rho and Mann-Whitney U tests, were used. Dangerousness (M
= 27.66, SD = 5.73) and Poor Social Skills (M = 21.34, SD = 4.25) were the most
endorsed beliefs, while Shame (M = 11.45, SD = 3.74) was least endorsed. All
dimensions were positively correlated (rs = .272-.706, p < .001). Correlations were
stronger in Mizoram (rs = .395-.779) than in Manipur (rs = .144-.612). Significant state
differences were found for Dangerousness (p = .035) and Poor Social Skills (p = .002),
but not for Incurability, Shame, or overall BMI scores. Males, particularly Mizo males,
showed stronger and more interconnected stigmatizing beliefs, whereas Manipuri
females reported lower stigma levels and weaker associations among dimensions.