Community Setting‐specific and Service‐seeking Stigma Toward Children With Emotional and Behavioral Disorders and Their Families

Abstract

This study investigates the stigma associated with mental health service seeking and community settings among children with emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD) and their parents living in rural areas. Parents (n = 185) rated stigma toward children with EBD and their families in school contexts significantly higher than the other community settings, and they rated stigma related to the context of church significantly lower than the others, with neighborhood and workplace falling in between. Stigma in each of these settings was a significant predictor of perceived service-seeking stigma. These findings suggest the need for further examination of stigma toward children with EBD and their families in community settings and for additional research investigating service-seeking stigma and its relationship to service-seeking behavior and use. C 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Profiles of Behavioral, Academic, and Demographic Characteristics of Middle School Students With Emotional or Behavioral Needs

“…It may also be the case that students with EBD are not identified for the interventions they need. Students with EBD may not receive mental health care supports due to stigma (Mann & Heflinger, 2016), lack of service providers, inadequate information, and cost (Pullman et al, 2010). Furthermore, students with EBD may experience both internalizing and externalizing behaviors, yet teachers are more likely to identify externalizing behaviors among students with EBD (Gage et al, 2013).…”

Supporting Parents and Students With Emotional and Behavioral Disorders in Rural Settings: Administrator Perspectives

“…Specifically, there is significant stigma associated with mental illness (Brown, Rice, Rickwood, & Parker, 2016; Heflinger & Hinshaw, 2010; Hoyt & Conger, 1997), and, in rural areas, this stigma is likely exacerbated given that rural communities are very small in size. Furthermore, stigma may affect families’ help seeking behavior, reducing the likelihood that services are sought and accessed (Boydell et al, 2006; Hoyt & Conger, 1997; Mann & Heflinger, 2016; Robinson et al, 2012). Related to stigma are concerns regarding confidentiality and anonymity when seeking services for mental health issues (Brown et al, 2016; Robinson et al, 2012).…”