How Are Personal Values Linked to Help-Seeking Stigma?

an article by Daniel G. Lannin and Isaac M. Wicker (Illinois State University, Normal, USA), Wyndolyn M. A. Ludwikowski2 (Xavier University of Louisiana, New Orleans, USA), Patrick J. Heath and David L. Vogel (Iowa State University, Ames, USA) and Lukas J. Wolf (University of Bath, UK) published in The Counseling Psychologist Volume 48 Issue 2 (2020)

Abstract

The extent to which individuals prioritise different personal values may be conceptually linked to the perceptions of societal stigma associated with seeking psychological help (public stigma), as well as the extent to which they apply that stigma to themselves (self-stigma).

We examined how personal values predicted public stigma and self-stigma of seeking psychological help. Undergraduates (N = 342) from two universities, one historically Black college/university and one predominantly White institution, completed questionnaires assessing personal values and public stigma and self-stigma of seeking psychological help.

Self-transcendence values predicted lower self-stigma directly and indirectly via public stigma. Though there were no structural differences between the modelled relationships of values, public stigma, and self-stigma between Black/African American and White/European American undergraduates, the groups differed in their prioritisation of self-transcendence, openness to change, and conservation values.

Results suggest that understanding how individuals prioritise certain values over others may help explain group-differences in help-seeking stigmas.

Labels:
public_stigma, self-stigma, psychological_help, HBCU, PWI,

Hazel’s comment:
I have interacted with a number of people through the online groups I belong to and have come across stigma within religious and ethnic groups many times.
Everyone is likely to have mental health problems at some point in their life. Maybe not bad enough to seek help from a psychologist but definitely enough to need support which they will not seek because of what family or other people will think.

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