Factors Influencing Stigma Toward Mental Illness Among Students at the University of Baghdad

Objective: This study aimed to identify and analyze the key factors contributing to mental illness stigma among students at the University of Baghdad in Baghdad, Iraq. Methods and Materials: A cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted to achieve the study's objectives. Study Setting: The study was conducted among university students in Baghdad City, Iraq. A convenience sample of 300 students was included in the study. Study Tools: Part 1: Socio-demographic characteristics, including age, level of education, monthly family income, and number of siblings. Part 2: Quality of life was assessed using the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREF; World Health Organization, 2004).Part 3: The Stigma Scale was used to measure the feelings and experiences of individuals who have faced psychological distress, particularly focusing on societal reactions to their condition. Findings: The mean age of the students was 22.21 ± 3.540 years, indicating that most participants were in their early twenties. Females (61.7%) constituted a larger proportion of the sample compared to males (38.3%). The mean score for mental illness stigma was 48.79 ± 6.811, reflecting the overall stigma perceived by students. Among the influencing factors, the overall factors had the highest mean score (84.96 ± 14.439). Conclusion: The study findings indicate that psychological well-being, overall health, and strong social support play a crucial role in reducing mental illness stigma among University of Baghdad students, with psychological factors having the most significant impact. These results highlight the importance of comprehensive strategies to promote mental health and effectively reduce stigma.