Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) Practice Test

In the 1800s, which group notably influenced humane attitudes towards mentally ill care in the United States?

1. Methodists

2. Quakers

3. Catholics

4. Protestants

The correct answer is: Quakers

The influence of Quakers in the 1800s on humane attitudes towards the care of the mentally ill in the United States is significant due to their commitment to equality, social justice, and the belief that everyone deserves compassion and respect. The Quakers, known for their pacifist and humanitarian principles, were among the first to advocate for the humane treatment of individuals with mental health issues. They established asylums that emphasized kindness, moral treatment, and active rehabilitation rather than confinement and neglect. The Quaker approach promoted the idea that individuals with mental illness could recover and reintegrate into society, challenging the prevailing attitudes of the time that often viewed mental illness as a curse or moral failing. Their establishment of reform movements and contribution to the creation of facilities focused on care rather than punishment laid the groundwork for modern mental health care practices. While other groups had varying roles in society during this period, it was the Quakers' specific advocacy for humane treatment that made them particularly noteworthy in the context of mental health reform in the 19th century.