due to negative self-labelling (Dollinger, Thelen, & Walsh, 1980). Peer relationships may also be
adversely affected and a lack of understanding may reduce help-seeking behaviour (Secker,
Armstrong, & Hill, 1999). Research in this area is necessary to contribute to our understanding of
children’s attitudes and perspectives towards mental health problems and to add to a knowledge
base from which to develop appropriate educational programmes to help children develop more
sympathetic views of mental health difficulties. The link between attribution of responsibility,
negative attitudes and social distance provides further rationale for such research, due to the poten-
tial contribution of such knowledge to an understanding of stigma and the social exclusion of
people with mental health problems.