Factors that contribute to the stigma of mental illness

This purpose of this study was to examine what factors influence the stigma of mental illness. The Mental Illness Stigma Scale was used to measure the level of stigma in a sample size of 63 respondents. The study found that the factors of age, race-ethnicity, education, income, gender, and experience did not have a significant influence on the respondents' perception of mental illness. The study did find, however, that those who had been diagnosed with a mental illness demonstrated lower levels of stigma regarding mental illnesses. No significance was found between levels of comfort with different types of mental illness and levels of stigma. This study is important to gain a better understanding of the issue of stigma and mental illness, especially for those in the social work profession.