(X) MARKS THE SPOT: EXAMINING THE GENERATIONAL DIFFERENCES OF FILIPINOS ON MEDIA INFLUENCED ATTITUDES AND IMAGINED INTERACTIONS TOWARDS THE MENTALLY ILL

ABSTRACT

Duldulao, A.B. & Yap, L.V., (2018). (X) Marks the Spot: Examining the Generational Differences if Filipinos on Media Influenced attitudes and Imagined Interactions towards the Mentally Ill. Undergraduate thesis, University of the Philippines Diliman.

This study examined the effects of positive and negative film portrayal of schizophrenia on the attitudes and imagined interactions (IIs) of Filipinos towards the mentally ill while moderated by generation. The method followed a 2x3 quasi-experimental design with a sample of 140 participants coming from the Filipino masa. The researchers produced their own unsensationalized film portrayals of schizophrenia which served as the study’s stimuli. Pretest reults suggested that disparity on attitudes existed only between two age groups: the “young” composed of Gen Y’s, and the “old,” composed of Gen X’s and Baby Boomers. Post-test results revealed, however, that attitudes of Gen X’s became comparable to both the attitudes of Gen Y’s and of Baby Boomers, suggesting that Gen X’s variedly learn media messages. Positive film portrayal influenced the participants to initiate more engagement, more assistive contact, and commit less avoidant behaviors toward the mentally ill in their IIs. Negative film portrayal influenced the participants to imagine making more hasty pre-judgements behind the mentally ill person’s back in their IIs. Lastly, film exposure was found to be a stronger predictor of attitudes, while generation was found to be the stronger predictor for IIs.

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