DIFFERENTIALS IN THE STIGMATIZATION AGAINST MENTALLY ILL PERSONS AMONG MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS

Abstract

This study examined the differentials in the stigmatization against mentally ill persons among mental health professionals (MHPs). The correlation research design was used for the study and the instrument for data collection was a researchers-designed questionnaire. The validity of the instrument was established. The Spearman 13rown Rank order Correlation Coefficient was used to test the reliability of the instrument. The population for the study consisted of 105 MIPs which also constituted the sample. Three research questions and three hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. The research questions were answered using the correlation coefficient while regression analysis was used in testing the null hypotheses. The results of the study revealed that the relationship between MHPs' age, gender, level of education, and stigmatization was very low. On the basis of these findings, it was recommended among others that both male and female MHPs, irrespective of their characteristics, be involved in the anti-stigma campaigns using a team approach.