Qualifications, Self-esteem, and Attitude of Health Practitioners toward Personality Disorders in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background The attitudes of society and mental health practitioners towards mental illness are subject to multiple dimensions. This may affect the quality of health services and the client’s ability to seek treatment. It was hypothesized that there is a relationship between qualification, self-esteem, and attitudes toward personality disorders among mental health practitioners in Saudi Arabia. Objective This study aimed to assess how attitudes toward clients’ personality disorders relate to work qualifications and self-esteem among health practitioners in Saudi Arabia. Methods A correlational, within-subject, cross-sectional study was conducted, including psychologists and psychiatrists (N=171) across the five regions of Saudi Arabia, using a survey research design. The online survey contained a demographic information sheet and two standardized scales of attitudes toward personality disorders and self-esteem. Results Descriptive analysis, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, and ANOVA were conducted using SPSS. Significant positive correlations were found between the total Attitude to Personality Disorder Questionnaire and self-esteem, APDQ, and qualification scores (r = .319 and .283, both p < .001). There was also a significant positive correlation between self-esteem and qualification scores (r = .378, p <.001). Conclusion The findings of the study may help mental health practitioners understand attitudes toward personality disorders and the role of qualification and self-esteem in prompting a positive attitude. Mental health practitioner training interventions can enhance and support service quality. On-job professional training, additional training on how to treat personality disorders, and proper supervision for clinicians are highly recommended.