Help-Seeking Stigma and Attitudes in College Students and Parents

Help-seeking stigma is a hindrance to obtaining treatment for mental illness and is related to people’s attitudes toward seeking help. Therefore, learning about the various types of stigma and gaining predictive knowledge of the constructs has value. Self-stigma and perceived stigma of others, as well as the attitudes people hold towards seeking help, were compared in college students and their parents. A sample of college students at a private Christian university and their parents were surveyed using the Self-Stigma of Seeking Help (SSOSH) scale, the Perception of Stigmatization by Others for Seeking Help (PSOSH) scale, and a short form of the Attitudes Toward Seeking Professional Help (ATSPPH-SF). There was a statistically significant positive correlation between parent and student attitudes toward seeking help, but the data did not significantly support the other hypotheses. Limitations include a homogenous sample population and the necessity for parent participation. A shared universal responsibility to foster an environment free of help-seeking stigma was emphasized