Attitudes of undergraduate medical students in Baghdad toward mental disorders and people with mental health difficulties

Other Title(s)

اتجاهات طلاب الطب الجامعيين في بغداد نحو الاضطرابات النفسية و الأشخاص الذين يعانون من صعوبات في الصحة العقلية

Joint Authors

Ali, Numan Sarhan
Snell, Tori
Mazlum, Rad Sadi

Source

The Arab Journal of Psychiatry

Issue

Vol. 31, Issue 2 (30 Nov. 2020), pp.144-149, 6 p.

Publisher

The Arab Federation of Psychiatrists

Publication Date

2020-11-30

Country of Publication

Jordan

No. of Pages

6

Main Subjects

Psychology
Psychiatry

Abstract EN

Background: Stigma associated with mental health disorders is a widespread problem linked to prejudices, attitudes, and misconceptions in society, which are also held by health professionals.

Few studies in the Arab world have evaluated how medical students perceive people with mental health difficulties.

Understanding the attitudes and perceptions of undergraduate medical students toward mental health disorders is important given the likelihood they will be involved, throughout their career, in the care of people with such difficulties.

Aims: The current study explored the beliefs and attitudes of medical students in Baghdad toward mental illnesses and toward people who experience mental health difficulties.

Methods: A cross-sectional design was used for a two-part survey containing sociodemographic information and the Beliefs Towards Mental Illness Scale, which was distributed to 4th and 5th year medical students attending the University College of Medicine in Baghdad.

Results: Fifty students, ranging in ages 21 to 26 years, completed the survey.

Findings suggest most students would not be embarrassed about having a relative or dating someone with a mental disorder.

However, most held negative views about the capability of people with mental illnesses and 60% feared what others would think if they were diagnosed with a mental health difficulty.

Conclusion: Awareness raising and review of course materials could go some way to reduce stigma.

Normalization of mental illnesses through psychoeducation may also address the barriers that prevent undergraduate medical students and doctors from seeking help and thus avoiding burnout.

Training courses and researchers also have a responsibility to update material and remove any stigmatizing language.

American Psychological Association (APA)

Mazlum, Rad Sadi& Snell, Tori& Ali, Numan Sarhan. 2020. Attitudes of undergraduate medical students in Baghdad toward mental disorders and people with mental health difficulties. The Arab Journal of Psychiatry،Vol. 31, no. 2, pp.144-149.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1268296

Modern Language Association (MLA)

Mazlum, Rad Sadi…[et al.]. Attitudes of undergraduate medical students in Baghdad toward mental disorders and people with mental health difficulties. The Arab Journal of Psychiatry Vol. 31, no. 2 (Nov. 2020), pp.144-149.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1268296

American Medical Association (AMA)

Mazlum, Rad Sadi& Snell, Tori& Ali, Numan Sarhan. Attitudes of undergraduate medical students in Baghdad toward mental disorders and people with mental health difficulties. The Arab Journal of Psychiatry. 2020. Vol. 31, no. 2, pp.144-149.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1268296

Data Type

Journal Articles

Language

English

Notes

Includes bibliographical references : p. 140-142

Record ID

BIM-1268296