Does self-stigma reduce the probability of seeking mental health information?

Abstract

An important first step in seeking counseling may involve obtaining information about mental health concerns and treatment options. Researchers have suggested that some people may avoid such information because it is too threatening due to self-stigma and negative attitudes, but the link to actual help-seeking decisions has not been tested. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to examine whether self-stigma and attitudes negatively impact decisions to seek information about mental health concerns and counseling. Probit regression models with 370 undergraduates showed that self-stigma negatively predicted decisions to seek both mental health and counseling information, with attitudes toward counseling mediating self-stigma's influence on these decisions. Among individuals experiencing higher levels of distress, the predicted probabilities of seeking mental health information (8.5%) and counseling information (8.4%) for those with high self-stigma were nearly half of those with low self-stigma (17.1% and 15.0%, respectively). This suggests that self-stigma may hinder initial decisions to seek mental health and counseling information, and implies the need for the development of early interventions designed to reduce help-seeking barriers.

Help-seeking in emerging adults with and without a history of mental health referral: a qualitative study

“…Previous studies have found that self-stigma is associated with negative attitudes towards treatment-seeking and negatively impacts the decision to seek information and help [13, 39, 40]. The attachment of self-stigma to developing identity in emerging adults may be of particular importance as this is the life-stage where individuals become more concerned with questions surrounding their identity and how they fit in [41, 42].…”

Using technology to enhance and expand interventions for couples and families: Conceptual and methodological considerations.

“…Stigma significantly predicts likelihood of seeking mental health services, with higher self-stigma associated with fewer services sought (Lannin et al, 2016). Men are more likely than women to be reluctant about entering in-person couple therapy (Doss, Atkins, & Christensen, 2003).…”

Stigma of mental illness and multicultural counseling self-efficacy : investigating the implications of the multicultural training environment, mental health literacy, and empathy.

“…Among 583 college students, most of whom identified as European-American (86%), Vogel, Wade, and Haake (2006) found levels of self-stigma associated with seeking mental health care predicted less intention to seek treatment, beyond the effects of public stigma and anticipated risks and benefits. Similar results were reported in more recent research (Lannin et al, 2016) that indicated that even the decision to seek information about counseling, such as that available online, was associated with levels of self-stigma. Lannin et al (2016) found among a sample of undergraduate college students at a large Midwestern university (N = 370) that selfstigma of mental illness was significantly associated with decreased probability of seeking counseling information and online mental health information.…”

“…Similar results were reported in more recent research (Lannin et al, 2016) that indicated that even the decision to seek information about counseling, such as that available online, was associated with levels of self-stigma. Lannin et al (2016) found among a sample of undergraduate college students at a large Midwestern university (N = 370) that selfstigma of mental illness was significantly associated with decreased probability of seeking counseling information and online mental health information. In addition, findings indicated that self-stigma was a significant predictor of negative attitudes toward counseling.…”

“…The detrimental effects of internalized stigma include low self-esteem, reduced sense of empowerment (self-efficacy) and goal attainment, reduced levels of hope, and reluctance to seek treatment Lannin, Vogel, Brenner, Abraham, & Heath, 2016). The effect of reduced self-esteem has been studied among diverse populations and among those with a variety of mental illness diagnoses.…”