{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,24]],"date-time":"2026-08-24T18:24:43Z","timestamp":1787595883151,"version":"build-2736575974"},"reference-count":32,"publisher":"AOSIS","issue":"0","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2024,9,5]],"date-time":"2024-09-05T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1725494400000},"content-version":"unspecified","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":[],"abstract":"<jats:p>Background:\u00a0Physiotherapy in mental health is not very popular among physiotherapists, students, healthcare professionals, and people living with mental illness (PLWMI), although many PLWMI are managed by physiotherapy students and physiotherapists.\n\nAim:\u00a0This study aimed to determine the knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of physiotherapy students and physiotherapy community service officers (PCSOs) towards mental health.\n\nSetting:\u00a0The study was conducted in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN).\n\nMethods:\u00a0A concurrent mixed-method was employed using the Attitudes Toward Psychiatry (ATP-30) questionnaire and focus group discussions. The questionnaire was distributed to 100 PCSOs and 191 physiotherapy students. Focus groups were conducted to assess the knowledge gained through the undergraduate programme, comprising three groups of students from second to fourth year and two groups of PCSOs. An interview was also conducted with one PCSO.\n\nResults:\u00a0A total of 146 students and 72 community service officers completed the questionnaire. Participants had an overall positive attitude, with a mean ATP-30 score of 108.02 (standard deviation [s.d.] = 10.86). Those with a family member or friend with a mental illness scored higher. Focus groups revealed limited knowledge about mental health and reluctance to work in the field.\n\nConclusion:\u00a0Physiotherapy students and PCSOs in KZN had positive attitudes towards mental health despite limited knowledge. They expressed a desire for more information about mental health.\n\nContribution:\u00a0The curriculum needs to include adequate mental health content to prepare students to manage PLWMI after graduation, reducing stigma, and negative perceptions, and ensuring confidence.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.4102\/hsag.v29i0.2627","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2024,9,5]],"date-time":"2024-09-05T03:19:57Z","timestamp":1725506397000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.4102\/crossmark-policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":4,"title":["Physiotherapy students\u2019 and officers\u2019 knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of mental health"],"prefix":"10.4102","volume":"29","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-3090-9074","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Marilyn","family":"Hooblaul","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"id":[{"id":"https:\/\/ror.org\/04qzfn040","id-type":"ROR","asserted-by":"publisher"}],"name":"University of KwaZulu-Natal"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-1320-7567","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Oladapo M.","family":"Olagbegi","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"id":[{"id":"https:\/\/ror.org\/04qzfn040","id-type":"ROR","asserted-by":"publisher"}],"name":"University of KwaZulu-Natal"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-2023-0324","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Thayananthee","family":"Nadasan","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"id":[{"id":"https:\/\/ror.org\/04qzfn040","id-type":"ROR","asserted-by":"publisher"}],"name":"University of KwaZulu-Natal"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"2580","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2024,9,5]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref0","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Almir\u00f3n, M., Barrios, I., O\u2019Higgins, M., Gonz\u00e1lez, I., Castaldelli-Maia, J.M., Ventriglio, A. et al., 2020, \u2018Physiotherapists\u2019 knowledge on the provision of physiotherapy to people with mental illness. A study from Paraguay\u2019, Medicina Cl\u00ednica y Social 4(3), 104\u2013113. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.52379\/mcs.v4i3.157","DOI":"10.52379\/mcs.v4i3.157"},{"key":"ref1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Andrew, E., Briffa, K., Waters, F., Lee, S. & Fary, R., 2019, \u2018Physiotherapists\u2019 views about providing physiotherapy services to people with severe and persistent mental illness: a mixed methods study\u2019, Journal of Physiotherapy 65(4), 222\u2013229. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.jphys.2019.08.001","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jphys.2019.08.001"},{"key":"ref2","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Bhise, M.C., Marwale, A.V., Deshmukh, A.S. & Saoji, S.G., 2016, \u2018Impact of differences in psychiatry curriculum of undergraduate medical and physiotherapy students on their attitude towards psychiatry\u2019, Indian Journal of Psychiatry 58(2), 208\u2013211. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.4103\/0019-5545.183780","DOI":"10.4103\/0019-5545.183780"},{"key":"ref3","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Bohner, G. & Dickel, N., 2011, \u2018Attitudes and attitude change\u2019, Annual Review of Psychology 62(May 2014), 391\u2013417. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1146\/annurev.psych.121208.131609","DOI":"10.1146\/annurev.psych.121208.131609"},{"key":"ref4","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Bolisani, E. & Bratianu, C. (eds.), 2018, \u2018The elusive definition of knowledge\u2019, in Knowledge management and organizational learning, pp. 1\u201322, Springer Nature, Cham.","DOI":"10.1007\/978-3-319-60657-6_1"},{"key":"ref5","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Burra, P., Kalin, R., Leichner, P., Waldron, J.J., Handforth, J.R., Jarrett, F.J. et al., 1982, \u2018The ATP 30 \u2013 A scale for measuring medical students\u2019 attitudes to psychiatry\u2019, Medical Education 16(1), 31\u201338. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1111\/j.1365-2923.1982.tb01216.x","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1365-2923.1982.tb01216.x"},{"key":"ref6","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Connaughton, J. & Gibson, W., 2016a, \u2018Do physiotherapists have the skill to engage in the \u2018psychological\u2019 in the bio-psychosocial approach?\u2019, Physiotherapy Canada 68(4), 377\u2013382. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3138\/ptc.2015-66","DOI":"10.3138\/ptc.2015-66"},{"key":"ref7","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Connaughton, J. & Gibson, W., 2016b, \u2018Physiotherapy students\u2019 attitudes toward psychiatry and mental health: A cross-sectional study\u2019, Physiotherapy Canada 68(2), 172\u2013178. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3138\/ptc.2015-18E","DOI":"10.3138\/ptc.2015-18E"},{"key":"ref8","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Craig, A., Rochat, T., Naicker, S.N., Mapanga, W., Mtintsilana, A., Dlamini, S.N. et al., 2022, \u2018The prevalence of probable depression and probable anxiety, and associations with adverse childhood experiences and socio-demographics: A national survey in South Africa\u2019, Frontiers in Public Health 10, 986531. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/fpubh.2022.986531","DOI":"10.3389\/fpubh.2022.986531"},{"key":"ref9","unstructured":"Creswell, J.W., 2009, Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches, 3rd edn., Sage Publications, Inc., Thornoaks, CA."},{"key":"ref10","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Creswell, J.W. & Miller, D.L., 2000, \u2018Determining validity in qualitative inquiry\u2019, Theory into Practice 39(3), 124\u2013130. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1207\/S15430421TIP3903_2","DOI":"10.1207\/s15430421tip3903_2"},{"key":"ref11","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Dandridge, T., Stubbs, B., Roskell, C. & Soundy, A., 2014, \u2018A survey of physiotherapy students\u2019 experiences and attitudes towards treating individuals with mental illness\u2019, International Journal of Therapy and Rehabilitation 21(7), 324\u2013330. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.12968\/ijtr.2014.21.7.324","DOI":"10.12968\/ijtr.2014.21.7.324"},{"key":"ref12","unstructured":"Elmer, J., 2023, Mental health vs. mental illness: Understanding the differences, healthline, viewed 10 May 2024, from https:\/\/www.healthline.com\/health\/mental-health\/mental-health-vs-mental-illness."},{"key":"ref13","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Elo, S., K\u00e4\u00e4ri\u00e4inen, M., Kanste, O., P\u00f6lkki, T., Utriainen, K., & Kyng\u00e4s, H., 2014, \u2018Qualitative content analysis\u2019, SAGE Open 4(1), 215824401452263. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/2158244014522633","DOI":"10.1177\/2158244014522633"},{"key":"ref14","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Gbadamosi, I.T., Henneh, I.T., Aluko, O.M., Yawson, E.O., Fokoua, A.R., Koomson, A. et al., 2022, \u2018Depression in sub-Saharan Africa\u2019, IBRO Neuroscience Reports 12, 309\u2013322. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/J.IBNEUR.2022.03.005","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ibneur.2022.03.005"},{"key":"ref15","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Gunduza, R.R., Lord, S. & Keller, M.M., 2023, \u2018Physiotherapy students\u2019 knowledge and attitudes about their role in mental health\u2019, South African Journal of Physiotherapy 79(1), 7. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.4102\/SAJP.V79I1.1867","DOI":"10.4102\/sajp.v79i1.1867"},{"key":"ref16","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Hooblaul, M., Cobbing, S. & Daniels, K.J., 2020, \u2018The knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of physiotherapists in Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa, towards mental health\u2019, South African Journal of Physiotherapy 76(1), 1483. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.4102\/sajp.v76i1.1483","DOI":"10.4102\/sajp.v76i1.1483"},{"key":"ref17","unstructured":"HopeChest, 2019, Global mental health statistics, Children\u2019s HopeChest, viewed 24 August 2023, from https:\/\/www.hopechest.org\/global-mental-health-statistics\/."},{"key":"ref18","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Kaur, J. & Garnawat, D., 2009, \u2018The mental health benefits of physiotherapy\u2019, Fysioterpeuten 36(1), 96\u2013110. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s11414-008-9148-9","DOI":"10.1007\/s11414-008-9148-9"},{"key":"ref19","unstructured":"Nagle, B. & Williams, N., 2006, Methodology brief: Introduction to focus groups, viewed 24 March 2019, from http:\/\/www.mmgconnect.com\/projects\/userfiles\/file\/focusgroupbrief.pdf."},{"key":"ref20","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Prasanna, J., Kumari, R. & Vigneshwar, D., 2021, \u2018Attitude of physiotherapists towards dealing subjects with mental illness\u2019, Indian Journal of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology 15(2), 170\u2013174. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.37506\/ijfmt.v15i2.14297","DOI":"10.37506\/ijfmt.v15i2.14297"},{"key":"ref21","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Probst, M. & Peuskens, J., 2010, \u2018Attitudes of Flemish physiotherapy students towards mental health and psychiatry\u2019, Physiotherapy 96(1), 44\u201351. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.physio.2009.08.006","DOI":"10.1016\/j.physio.2009.08.006"},{"key":"ref22","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Probst, M. & Skjaerven, L. (eds.), 2017, \u2018Physiotherapy in mental health\u2019, in Physiotherapy in mental health, pp. 1\u201313, Elsevier Health Sciences, Edinburgh.","DOI":"10.5772\/67595"},{"key":"ref23","unstructured":"Qiong, O.U., 2017, \u2018A brief introduction to perception\u2019, Studies in Literature and Language 15(4), 18\u201328. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3968\/10055"},{"key":"ref24","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Rutvi, D., Shah, V. & Parikh, J., 2022, \u2018Knowledge of mental health among physiotherapy students\u2019, International Journal of Health Sciences and Research (www.ijhsr.org), 12, 11. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.52403\/ijhsr.20221125","DOI":"10.52403\/ijhsr.20221125"},{"key":"ref25","unstructured":"Sarin, B., 2003, Mental health stigma : Attitudes of physiotherapy students and the role of education in attitude development, p. 14, viewed 5 December 2023, from https:\/\/orca.cardiff.ac.uk\/id\/eprint\/15346\/1\/MH_Stigma_Sarin%2C_Brodie_%5Bposter%5D_ICPPMH_2008.pdf."},{"key":"ref26","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Soundy, A., Freeman, P., Stubbs, B., Probst, M. & Vancampfort D., 2014, \u2018The value of social support to encourage people with schizophrenia to engage in physical activity: An international insight from specialist mental health physiotherapists\u2019, Journal of Mental Health 23(5), 256\u2013260. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3109\/09638237.2014.951481","DOI":"10.3109\/09638237.2014.951481"},{"key":"ref27","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Soundy, A., Stubbs, B., Probst, M., Gyllensten, A.L., Skjaerven, L.H., Catalan-Matamoros, D. et al., 2016, \u2018Considering the role of physical therapists within the treatment and rehabilitation of individuals with eating disorders: An international survey of expert clinicians\u2019, Physiotherapy Research International 21(4), 237\u2013246. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1002\/pri.1637","DOI":"10.1002\/pri.1637"},{"key":"ref28","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Stathopoulos, S., 2020, \u2018Physical therapy in mental health\u2019, Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Practice 1(1), 1\u20133. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.46439\/rehabilitation.1.001","DOI":"10.46439\/rehabilitation.1.001"},{"key":"ref29","unstructured":"WHO, 2022, Mental health, Mental health fact sheet, viewed 30 August 2023, from https:\/\/www.who.int\/news-room\/fact-sheets\/detail\/mental-health-strengthening-our-response."},{"key":"ref30","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Yildirim, M., Demirbuken, I., Balci, B. & Yurdalan, U., 2015, \u2018Beliefs towards mental illness in Turkish physiotherapy students\u2019, Physiotherapy Theory and Practice 31(7), 461\u2013465. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3109\/09593985.2015.1025321","DOI":"10.3109\/09593985.2015.1025321"},{"key":"ref31","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Zechner, M., Anderson, E.Z., Murphy, A.A., Zazzarino, A. & Karyczak, S., 2022, \u2018Physical therapy students\u2019 perceptions for working with persons with mental illness in the USA\u2019, Journal of Education and Health Promotion 11, 367. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.4103\/jehp.jehp_1543_21","DOI":"10.4103\/jehp.jehp_1543_21"}],"container-title":["Health SA Gesondheid"],"original-title":[],"link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/hsag.co.za\/index.php\/hsag\/article\/viewFile\/2627\/html","content-type":"text\/html","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/hsag.co.za\/index.php\/hsag\/article\/viewFile\/2627\/epub","content-type":"application\/epub+zip","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/hsag.co.za\/index.php\/hsag\/article\/viewFile\/2627\/xml","content-type":"text\/xml","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/hsag.co.za\/index.php\/hsag\/article\/viewFile\/2627\/pdf","content-type":"application\/pdf","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/hsag.co.za\/index.php\/hsag\/article\/view\/2627\/5050","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,5,28]],"date-time":"2026-05-28T06:33:13Z","timestamp":1779949993000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/hsag.co.za\/index.php\/hsag\/article\/view\/2627"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2024,9,5]]},"references-count":32,"journal-issue":{"issue":"0","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2023,12,22]]}},"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.4102\/hsag.v29i0.2627","relation":{},"ISSN":["1025-9848","2071-9736"],"issn-type":[{"value":"1025-9848","type":"print"},{"value":"2071-9736","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2024,9,5]]},"article-number":"a2627"}}