Schizophrenia literacy among former Soviet Union immigrants: A cross-generational perspective on knowledge, trust, and stigma

Several studies in Western countries have found that first- and second-generation immigrants have an increased risk of developing schizophrenia. Mental health literacy can facilitate help-seeking and prevent chronic mental conditions. This study explores cross-generational differences in schizophrenia literacy among immigrants from the former Soviet Union (FSU) in Israel. Data were collected using a cross-sectional online survey of 405 respondents who self-identified as first-generation, 1.5-generation, or second-generation FSU immigrants. Questions about schizophrenia literacy were adapted from the Australian National Survey of Mental Health Literacy and Stigma, tapping into the recognition of schizophrenia, knowledge of potential helpers, first-aid support, and effective interventions for persons with schizophrenia (PwS) as well as attitudes, measured by personal stigma and trust in the healthcare system. The findings revealed that knowledge was associated with trust in the healthcare system across generations. First-generation immigrants were less likely to correctly identify a distress situation as involving schizophrenia and held more stigmatic attitudes toward PwS. Their utilization of mental healthcare services was lower, compared to the younger generations, which they compensated for by turning to traditional treatment and hypnosis. Lower trust in the mental healthcare system was also found among the first-generation immigrants, as compared to the 1.5- and second-generation groups. In conclusion, lower levels of knowledge and more stigmatizing attitudes toward schizophrenia reflect the lingering effects of living in the Soviet Union, placing first-generation immigrants in a vulnerable position. Implications for culturally adapted interventions aimed at increasing schizophrenia literacy and mental health trust among FSU immigrants are proposed.