SHAPING PERSPECTIVES: THE IMPACT OF SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHIC FACTORS ON HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS’ ATTITUDES TOWARDS MENTAL ILLNESS.

Abstract

Mental health stigma attitude remains a pervasive barrier to effective care, often shaped by the socio-demographic and professional characteristics of healthcare professionals (HPs). While self-stigma and public stigma are well-documented, structural stigma reflected in discriminatory policies and systemic barriers remains underexplored especially among healthcare professionals, with existing studies yielding mixed findings. This study examines the nuanced impact of gender, marital status, cultural and religious affiliation on HPs' attitudes toward individuals with mental illness, with a particular focus on dimensions of Authoritativeness, Benevolence, Social Restrictiveness, and Community Mental Health Ideology (CMHI). Employing a cross-sectional design, we surveyed 289 sample of HPs using validated Community Attitude toward Mental Illness (CAMI) scale to assess their attitudes and biases. Findings from multiple analysis of variance revealed significant variations in attitudes based on gender, with male HPs demonstrating higher authoritarian tendencies and restrictive views. Religious and cultural influences also emerged as pivotal factors, shaping both benevolent and stigmatizing attitudes. Based on these insights, we propose evidence-based training programs aimed at fostering more inclusive, empathetic, and community-integrative attitudes among HPs. Specifically, gender-responsive interventions should encourage male HPs to adopt more autonomy-supportive practices, while culturally and religiously sensitive training should challenge stigmatizing beliefs rooted in traditional norms. Furthermore, promoting intergroup dialogue and strengthening community-based mental health strategies can enhance CMHI-related attitudes, ultimately improving patient outcomes.   Keywords: Attitude toward Mental Illness, Authoritativeness, Benevolence, Social Restrictiveness, and Community Mental Health Ideology