Does stigma influence intentions to seek mental health care? A study among adults attending University in Ghana

Le résumé fourni par la source

We explored the factors influencing attitudes of help-seeking behavior and counseling intentions. Four hundred and forty (440) Ghanaian students from two public universities were conveniently sampled for this study. Data were collected through a cross-sectional survey using standardized questionnaires, including the Intention to Seek Counseling Inventory, Inventory of Attitudes Toward Seeking Mental Health Services, Attitudes Toward Seeking Professional Psychological Help Scale, Self-Stigma of Seeking Help Scale, and the Stigma Scale for Receiving Social Support. The data obtained were analyzed using multiple regressions. Our results revealed that self-stigma was significantly associated with attitudes toward seeking help from a psychologist, while social stigma was significantly associated with attitudes toward seeking help from a mental health service provider. Self-stigma, but not social stigma, moderated the relationship between attitudes toward seeking professional psychological help and intentions to seek counseling. This suggests that when self-stigma is high, attitudes to seek professional psychological help become less impactful in driving intentions to seek counseling. Interventions should focus on reducing self-stigma and empowering adults to overcome their internalized negative attitudes toward mental disorders, ultimately encouraging them to seek mental health care.

Ce résumé expose les affirmations des auteurs. BNTIC ne l’interprète pas comme une validation indépendante des résultats.