Development of a measure of stigma towards occupational stress for mental health professionals

Abstract

Purpose Stigma is a common barrier to mental health professionals (MHPs) seeking help for occupational stress and burnout, although there is a lack of psychometrically sound tools to measure this construct. The current study aimed to develop and validate a scale (the Mental Health Professional Stigma Scale; MHPSS) for this purpose. Methods The MHPSS and related measures were completed by 221 Australian MHPs via online survey, with a subsample completing the MHPSS again 2 weeks after initial completion. Results Exploratory factor analysis revealed a four-factor solution, comprising of 13 items and accounting for 50.16% of variance. Factors were Perceived Other Stigma, Perceived Structural Stigma, Personal Stigma, and Self stigma. The internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and validity of the scale were supported. Conclusions The MHPSS has utility to capture stigmatising attitudes and beliefs related to occupational stress and burnout among MHPs. It may be used to assist in the development and evaluation of initiatives to reduce stigma and increase helpseeking among MHPs.

Platform riders' occupational stigma consciousness and workplace deviant behavior: the mediating role of self-depletion

“…This study responds to the research appeals of previous scholars by changing the perspective on workers' consciousness. These findings are consistent with those of a previous study showing that occupational stigma consciousness negatively impacts work-related outcomes (Clough et al. , 2020).…”

“…Understanding how Platform riders' workplace deviant behavior occupational stigma affects the target group, and how to respond, can better solve workplace problems (Van Laar et al, 2019). The present study concluded that occupational stigma consciousness negatively impacts work-related outcomes, such as occupational stress and burnout (Clough et al, 2020). Previous literature suggests that occupational stigma has a negative impact on employees in terms of cognition and behavior (Mikolon et al, 2021;Shigihara, 2018).…”

“…, 2019). The present study concluded that occupational stigma consciousness negatively impacts work-related outcomes, such as occupational stress and burnout (Clough et al. , 2020).…”

“…Previous studies have shown that occupational stigma consciousness can cause more negative work-related outcomes (Van Laar et al, 2019;Clough et al, 2020). Studies on workplace deviant behavior have confirmed that organizational factors could be antecedents or predictors of workplace deviant behavior (Jung and Yoon, 2020).…”

“…Previous studies have shown that occupational stigma consciousness can cause more negative work-related outcomes (Van Laar et al. , 2019; Clough et al. , 2020).…”