Kerim Alp Altuncu

Dr. Kerim Alp Altuncu

Psychological Science, Università degli studi di Padova, Padova, Veneto, Italy
orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

4Years (2023-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

View All Publications
21 July 2023 in Behavioral Sciences
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
KAKerim Alp Altuncu
Kerim Alp Altuncu
ALArianna Schiano Lomoriello
Arianna Schiano Lomoriello
GBGabriele Lo Buglio
Gabriele Lo Buglio
LMLudovica Martino
Ludovica Martino
Asrın YenihayatAsrın Yenihayat
Asrın Yenihayat
TBTommaso Boldrini
Tommaso Boldrini
Mental health literacy (MHL) refers to lay people’s knowledge and beliefs about the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness. The current study aimed at investigating MHL regarding personality disorders (PDs) multiculturally, comparing Turkish and Italian populations. In total, 262 participants responded to an online vignette identification task that required them to label the PDs of seven hypothetical subjects and rate various dimensions of their disorders. Narcissistic (25%), obsessive-compulsive (13%), and paranoid (12%) PDs were the most correctly labeled, while the average accuracy values for other PDs were below 0.04%. Compared to Turkish participants, Italian participants were more accurate in labeling narcissistic PD. Additionally, of the seven PDs, narcissistic PD was associated with the most happiness and success at work. Subjects with borderline and avoidant PDs were the most recognized as having psychological problems (>90%), yet their PDs were among the least correctly identified. Overall, participants from both cultures were generally successful at recognizing the presence of a mental illness, but they rarely labeled it correctly. Only limited cultural differences emerged. The present findings may inform the design of outreach programs to promote MHL regarding PDs, thereby facilitating early recognition of PDs and help-seeking behaviors for affected individuals.