Analysis of stigma toward mental disorders among professionals, families, and the general population in Spain

Abstract

Stigma toward individuals with severe mental disorders remains a major barrier to social inclusion and recovery. Although widely studied, fewer investigations have comparatively examined attitudes across key social agents (professionals, family members, and the general population) while controlling relevant sociodemographic variables. An ex post facto, cross-sectional, descriptive-comparative design was conducted with 665 participants in Spain: general population (n = 398), family members (n = 142), and mental health professionals (n = 125). The Community Attitudes toward the Mentally Ill (CAMI) scale assessed Authoritarianism, Benevolence, Social Restrictiveness, and Community Mental Health Ideology. Analyses included descriptive statistics, Pearson correlations, Welch’s t-tests, and Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) controlling for age and sex. Effect sizes were calculated using Cohen’s d and partial eta squared. Older age and higher self-perceived knowledge were associated with more favorable attitudes across dimensions. Women showed significantly lower stigma levels than men. Controlling for age and sex, role showed significant main effects in all dimensions: the general population reported the highest stigma, professionals the lowest, and family members intermediate scores. No significant differences between professionals and family members emerged in Benevolence. Stigma is shaped by sociodemographic and contextual variables, particularly role, age, and sex. Professional contact appears linked to less stigmatizing attitudes. Shared benevolence between professionals and family members may provide a basis for strengthening community-based and educational interventions aimed at stigma reduction.