Factors influencing local residents’ attitudes toward mental health welfare centers

This study examines the factors influencing the Not in My Backyard (NIMBY) attitude toward Mental Health Welfare Centers (MHWCs) in South Korea, integrating individual and regional determinants. Using data from the 2022 Mental Health Perception Survey and Korean Statistical Information Service, we apply a Markov Chain Monte Carlo generalized linear multilevel model to assess predictors of NIMBY attitudes. Regional analysis indicates that a higher proportion of old housing is associated with stronger NIMBY attitudes, whereas higher mortality rates are linked to lower opposition, suggesting that neighborhood conditions and community-level health vulnerability shape public acceptance of mental health services. At the individual level, older age, poor physical health, negative perceptions of mental illness, and exposure to MHWC advertisements were associated with higher NIMBY attitudes, while internet-based information and personal recommendations were linked to lower opposition. The study highlights the limitations of traditional public awareness campaigns and underscores the importance of tailored, trust-based communication strategies that consider local context. These findings provide policy-relevant insights for promoting community-based mental health care.