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Event Type
Research Presentation
Academic Department
Psychology
Location
Zoom: Pre-registration required
Event Website
https://hollins.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ACD9em_WQrSbk94ivF4bdw
Start Date
7-4-2021 6:30 PM
Description
Extensive prior research has shown that individuals with low self-concept clarity (SCC) are more susceptible to mental health problems, e.g., depression and anxiety, than individuals with a high SCC. However, prior research has not focused on help-seeking in conjunction with SCC. Therefore, an online survey was distributed to Hollins University students (N=111) to investigate the potential relationship between SCC and help-seeking behavior. A positive correlation between SCC and help-seeking was found, indicating participants with a higher SCC had a greater help-seeking propensity and vice versa. Furthermore, as psychological distress and stigma are predictors of help-seeking, we also measured these variables. Stigma was further dissected into perceived public stigma, personal stigma, and perceived peer stigma. Previous research demonstrates that perceived public stigma is usually higher than personal stigma, and that personal stigma independently influences help-seeking behavior, but— despite prominent theories— public stigma does not. The current study altered the perceived stigma reference group (i.e from “public” to “peer group”) to investigate if that would change the associations with help-seeking behavior. Consistent with prior research, perceived public stigma continued to remain significantly higher than personal stigma and was not correlated with help-seeking behavior or personal stigma. However, both personal stigma and perceived peer stigma were negatively correlated with help-seeking and positively correlated with each other such that individuals high in personal and peer stigma were less willing to seek help. The results can provide insight for future mental health help-seeking intervention programs and stigma reduction campaigns.
A Correlational Study of the Relationship Between Self-Concept Clarity, Stigma, Psychological Distress, and Help-Seeking
Zoom: Pre-registration required
Extensive prior research has shown that individuals with low self-concept clarity (SCC) are more susceptible to mental health problems, e.g., depression and anxiety, than individuals with a high SCC. However, prior research has not focused on help-seeking in conjunction with SCC. Therefore, an online survey was distributed to Hollins University students (N=111) to investigate the potential relationship between SCC and help-seeking behavior. A positive correlation between SCC and help-seeking was found, indicating participants with a higher SCC had a greater help-seeking propensity and vice versa. Furthermore, as psychological distress and stigma are predictors of help-seeking, we also measured these variables. Stigma was further dissected into perceived public stigma, personal stigma, and perceived peer stigma. Previous research demonstrates that perceived public stigma is usually higher than personal stigma, and that personal stigma independently influences help-seeking behavior, but— despite prominent theories— public stigma does not. The current study altered the perceived stigma reference group (i.e from “public” to “peer group”) to investigate if that would change the associations with help-seeking behavior. Consistent with prior research, perceived public stigma continued to remain significantly higher than personal stigma and was not correlated with help-seeking behavior or personal stigma. However, both personal stigma and perceived peer stigma were negatively correlated with help-seeking and positively correlated with each other such that individuals high in personal and peer stigma were less willing to seek help. The results can provide insight for future mental health help-seeking intervention programs and stigma reduction campaigns.
https://digitalcommons.hollins.edu/science_seminar/2021/presentations/10
Comments
Under the direction of Dr. Caroline Mann.
Oral presentation.