[Mentally ill patients: viewed from 2 perspectives. A methodological contribution on attitudinal research in psychiatry].

The impact of the change in perspective (i.e. the personal opinion of those questioned versus what they perceive the others' opinion toward the mentally ill to be) on the results of the questionnaire is examined based on data from two population surveys measuring attitudes towards the mentally ill. As expected, the respondents' attitudes towards the mentally ill are more positive if they are asked to give their own opinion. The impact that the variation of the two formulations of these questions has on the respondents increases with their level of education and reaches a substantial amount among those with "Abitur". Furthermore, the answers are clearer and more definite if those questioned are asked for their personal opinion.