Factors contributing to mental health stigma among Saudi medical practitioners
| Date | 11 March 2019 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/JMHTEP-08-2017-0051 |
| Pages | 96-105 |
| Published date | 11 March 2019 |
| Author | Seham Mansour Alyousef,Sami Abdulrahman Alhamidi |
| Subject Matter | Health & social care,Mental health,Mental health education |
Factors contributing to mental health
stigma among Saudi medical practitioners
Seham Mansour Alyousef and Sami Abdulrahman Alhamidi
Abstract
Purpose –The purpose of this paper is to explore the factors that contribute to stigmas held by mental health
practitioners about people with mental health issues.
Design/methodology/approach –A qualitative approach using semi-structured interviews was adopted to
collect data from one focus group discussion comprised of six healthcare practitioners representing different
aspects of health provision. Data were analysed using Nvivi.10 thematic content analysis, and major themes
were identified. Participants also complete a demographic data sheet. This study was conducted in February
2018 at the medical city in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Findings –The focus group discussed the stigmas they held about people with mental health issues and the
factors they perceived as heightening their prejudices. Factors identified included professional experiences,
the media and community. Practitioners working in mental healthcare are vulnerable to developing stigmas
about people with mental health problems. This research has begun to explore the factorsthat contribute to
this phenomenon.
Research limitations/implications –The participants were drawn from several different mental healthcare
providers, so attitudes expressed cannot be generalised.
Practical implications –Practitioners healthcare providers of all types including clinical practitioners,
administrators and programme planners have a duty to confront the stigma of mental health among the
community and healthcare providers, by expanding the volume of academic literature being authored,
improving continuing professional education and enhancing employment opportunities in that sector.
Originality/value –The outcomes of this study were mainly applicable to the professional mental health
team, educator of healthcare practitioners, clinical practitioners, community mental healthcare services and
research related to this topic, especially for improved ethical and professional values for healthcare providers
and enlightenment of society as a whole.
Keywords Practitioners, Factors, Stigma, Mental health, Professional, Problems
Paper type Research paper
Introduction
Background
Recent data show that more than 70 per cent of people worldwide who suffer from mental illness
are not treated by healthcare providers (Henderson and Gronholm, 2018). Many of those who suffer
from mentalillness suffer from stigmatisation.This process begins withlabelling and is followed by
stereotyping, separation, status loss and discrimination (Henderson and Gronholm, 2018).
Public attitudes inEngland and Scotland towards mental illness have actually deteriorated based
on Departmentof Health Attitudes Illness Surveys, 1994–2003 (Mehta et al., 2009). Littleevidence
is available on the levels and effects of discrimination on sufferers of mental illness elsewhere,
especiallyin low- and medium-income countriesbased on data from a largereview study (Clement
et al., 2013).However, internationally,much work is being undertaken in addressing ways in which
such stigma and its impact on individuals might be reduced (Corrigan et al.,2014).
The potential perspectives and views of professional and practitioners stigma towards
individuals with mental health problems are currently an under-researched aspect of mental
Received 14 August 2017
Revised 4 February 2018
19 November 2018
Accepted 26 November 2018
The authors are thankful to the
Deanship of Scientific Research,
College of Nursing Research
Centre at King Saud University for
funding this research.
Seham Mansour Alyousef is
Assistant Professor at the
Department of Community and
Psychiatric Nursing, King Saud
University, Riyadh,
Saudi Arabia.
Sami Abdulrahman Alhamidi is
based at the Maternal and Child
Health Department, King Saud
University, Riyadh,
Saudi Arabia.
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THE JOURNAL OF MENTALHEALTH TRAINING, EDUCATION AND PRACTICE
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VOL. 14 NO. 2 2019, pp.96-105, © Emerald Publishing Limited, ISSN 1755-6228 DOI 10.1108/JMHTEP-08-2017-0051
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