Stigmatizing attitudes toward mental illness among mental health professionals in Kazakhstan: A cross-sectional study

This study aimed to examine factors associated with stigmatizing attitudes toward people with mental illness among mental health professionals in Kazakhstan, the largest upper-middle-income country in Central Asia. The cross-sectional online survey was conducted among psychiatrists, narcologists (drug addiction specialists), psychotherapists, psychiatry residents and mental health nurses from all regions of Kazakhstan using the 15-item Opening Minds Stigma Scale for Healthcare Providers (OMS-HC). The mean stigma score was 40.1 of a possible 75, with higher stigma observed among older professionals (β = 3.32; 95% CI: 1.24, 5.39) and those working in the drug addiction field (β = 1.99; 95% CI: 0.32, 3.66). Male professionals had lower stigma scores (β = -3.29; 95% CI: -5.57, -1.02). Perception of mental health work as less respectable (β = 6.43; 95% CI: 3.26, 9.60) and skepticism about the positive impact of the field (β = 2.69, 95% CI: 0.52, 4.86) were associated with higher stigma; while having relatives or friends suffering from mental health issues (β = -2.36; 95% CI: -3.95, -0.77) and prior psychotherapy exposure (β = -2.12; 95% CI: -3.98, -0.26) were associated with lower levels of stigma. These findings can inform future targeted interventions on reducing stigma within healthcare settings, and promoting a more supportive and inclusive environment for both patients and providers.