Newspaper reporting of mental illness

Journal of Public Mental Health,Volume 16, Issue 2, June 2017. Purpose The present study aimed to examine a time trend in newspaper reporting of mental illness in Japan between 1987 and 2014. Design/methodology/approach Four high-circulation national newspapers (the Yomiuri newspaper, the Asahi newspaper, the Mainich newspaper and the Nikkei Newspaper) were selected for analysis. Articles were analysed using qualitative content analysis (n=448). Findings Whilst articles concerning the dangerousness of those with mental illness occupied a high proportion of coverage between 1987 and 2014, an overall shift is apparent whereby there is now more reporting of mental illness in relation to stress than in relation to dangerousness, particularly for depression. In contrast, schizophrenia was often reported in the context of violent crime. Information on the treatment, symptoms and prevalence of mental illness was rarely reported. Originality/value The present study is the first to examine changes in Japanese newspaper coverage over time and at the variation in reporting among diagnoses.
Source: Journal of Public Mental Health - Category: International Medicine & Public Health Source Type: research