Attitudes Towards Persons With Intellectual Disability From Mental Health Professionals in Chile

Stigma towards persons with intellectual disabilities remains a significant barrier to their inclusion and access to healthcare. Mental health professionals (MHPs) play a crucial role in providing appropriate support for people with intellectual disabilities, and their attitudes can influence the quality of care and access to mental health services for this population. This study aims to evaluate the attitudes of Chilean MHPs towards individuals with intellectual disabilities.

A cross-sectional study was conducted with 121 MHPs in Chile. Participants completed the Attitudes Toward Intellectual Disability Questionnaire-Short Form (ATTID-SF), assessing five dimensions: discomfort, knowledge of capacity and rights, interaction, sensitivity/tenderness and knowledge of causes. Descriptive statistics, correlation analyses and ANOVAs were used to examine differences in attitudes based on sociodemographic variables and prior experience with individuals with intellectual disability.

Overall, participants exhibited positive attitudes towards individuals with intellectual disability. However, certain concerns persisted, particularly regarding their capacity to handle finances and parenthood. Psychiatrists demonstrated greater knowledge of causes than psychologists. Women reported higher levels of sensitivity/tenderness than men. Previous contact with individuals with intellectual disability was associated with more positive attitudes. Participants expressed more negative attitudes towards individuals with higher support needs.

While Chilean MHPs generally exhibit positive attitudes towards individuals with intellectual disability, gaps in knowledge and lingering biases highlight the need for enhanced training. Increasing direct contact in clinical practice and promoting interdisciplinary education may help reduce stigma and improve mental health service accessibility for this population.