Attitudes and stigma towards seeking professional psychological help among college going students
Journal Title: INDIAN JOURNAL OF MENTAL HEALTH - Year 2016, Vol 3, Issue 2
Abstract
Background: People with psychological problems often refuse to seek help due to the stigma associated with mental illness. This often serves as a barrier when seeking professional psychological help even when the need arises. The purpose of the present study was to explore the relationship between attitudes and stigma towards seeking professional psychological help among college students with and without prior counseling experience. The study also aimed to explore the gender differences in attitudes and stigma toward seeking professional psychological help among college students with and without prior counseling experience. Methods: 71 students with no prior counseling and 61 students that received prior counseling were administered the Attitudes toward seeking professional psychological help scale (ATSPPHS) and Self stigma of seeking help scales. The data was analyzed statistically and the results were presented. Results: Quantitative data were analyzed using t test and correlation method. The findings indicate that stigma has a significant inverse relationship with the attitudes towards seeking professional counseling among college students. The study also reveals that there is no significant gender difference in attitudes and stigma among help seekers and non seekers. Conclusion: A large scale study is needed to identify the factors influencing the attitudes of students towards counselling. To bring about attitudinal change it is important to create awareness about the need for seeking professional help in times of personal crises. Schools and colleges must appoint qualified counsellors who can make students aware of the benefits of counselling and also about its confidentiality which can help to reduce the stigma towards counselling and counsellors.
Authors and Affiliations
Vidyadayini Shetty, Tanya Jain
Keywords
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- EP ID EP249926
- DOI 10.30877/IJMH.3.2.2016.202-207
- Views 114
- Downloads 0
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