The effects of social support on public and personal stigma, and attitudes toward seeking mental health treatment among college students

Abstract

This study investigates how social support is associated with perceived public stigma and self-stigma regarding mental health problems among college students, and further explores their impact on attitudes toward seeking mental health treatment. An online survey with 854 students was conducted. The results suggest that perceived social support is positively related to attitudes toward seeking professional help. This study also found that students' perceptions of social support negatively affect their perception of public stigma and self-stigma, resulting in more positives attitudes toward seeking professional help. A direct or indirect link between perceived social support, public and self-stigma, and attitudes toward seeking professional help was found in both male and female students. However, the level of social support perceived by male students was significantly lower than that perceived by female students. Among male students, the reported self-stigma was more severe and attitudes toward seeking professional help were less favorable as well. The implications of the findings for health communications and new media are discussed.