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

TL;DR

This study examines how stigma affects mental health care intentions among Ghanaian university students, finding that self-stigma significantly impacts help-seeking attitudes.

Contribution

The study reveals that self-stigma, not social stigma, moderates the link between attitudes and intentions to seek counseling.

Findings

Self-stigma is significantly associated with attitudes toward seeking help from a psychologist.

Social stigma is significantly linked to attitudes toward seeking help from mental health service providers.

High self-stigma weakens the influence of positive attitudes on counseling intentions.

Abstract

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.

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