Abstract
Personal and perceived stigma can hinder persons in appraising their symptoms as constituting part of a mental illness (self-labeling), an important early step in the help-seeking process. This study examines the impact of personal and perceived stigma on self-labeling and provides prospective data on the possible connections between self-labeling and help-seeking behavior. Personal stigmatizing attitudes, perceived stigma and self-labeling behavior as well as their statistical connections were cross-sectionally investigated in a community sample of 207 participants with a present untreated mental health problem. We further conducted prospective analyses to investigate possible associations between self-labeling and help-seeking behavior at 3 and 6month follow-ups. Socio-demographics, previous treatment and depression symptoms were also measured as potential confounders. Personal stigmatizing attitudes were significantly more pronounced in respondents who self-labeled as physically compared to mentally ill, while group differences in levels of perceived stigma were not. Self-labeling as physically or mentally ill increased the likelihood of seeking help from the health service provider deemed most suitable for that label (physical: GP, p <0.05; mental: MHP, p < 0.1) compared to persons who applied no self-label. The findings suggest that personal stigmatizing attitudes-rather than perceived stigma-impact on self-labeling, and highlight the need for interventions that assist persons with mental illness in overcoming those attitudes. They also underscore the possible impact of self-labeling in the help-seeking process and underline the important role of GPs in mental health care. Further, preferably epidemiological research into the matter would be desirable.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.