Mental health stigma: Impact on mental health treatment attitudes and physical health

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to test two models of the impact of mental health stigma on both attitudes toward seeking psychological help and physical health. General self-efficacy, self-esteem, and anxiety were tested as potential mediators of these two relationships. A sample of adults ( N = 423) aged 18-72 years was surveyed using the participant pool of a large, distance learning university. Structural equation modeling results indicated that mental health stigma directly and indirectly influenced treatment attitudes and physical health. Internal self-variables mediated the relationship between mental health stigma and both study outcomes.

Keywords: adults; health behavior; mental illness; stigma; treatment.