Date of Conferral

2020

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Health Services

Advisor

Dr. Richard Palmer

Abstract

Public stigma and adverse beliefs and attitudes toward individuals with mental illness can negatively influence help seeking. The purpose of this quantitative cross-sectional study was to assess associations and the effect of stigmatized attitudes toward mental illness and familiarity with mental illness on help-seeking attitudes in three community health clinics in the Bahamas. Attribution theory and theory of planned behavior provided the framework for the study. Data were collected from a convenience sample of 366 individuals who completed a self-administered questionnaire consisting of sociodemographic questions, the Attribution Questionnaire that assessed stigmatizing attitudes and beliefs toward individuals with mental illness, and the Inventory of Attitudes Toward Seeking Mental Health Services. Descriptive statistics and inferential statistics were used to analyze data from respondents to the questionnaire. Results revealed that age was significantly associated with attitudes toward seeking mental health services (ATSMHS), and the psychological openness and help-seeking propensity subscales respectively. Religion and education were also significantly associated with ATSMHS. Public stigma about mental illness was significantly associated with ATSMHS and the subscales psychological openness and indifference to stigma respectively. Multiple regression analysis revealed that age, ethnicity, religion, and public stigma were significant predictors of ATSMHS. Based on research findings, interventions that target public stigma, sociodemographic and cultural factors, and attitudes towards seeking mental health services can result in positive social change and enhance help seeking for mental health problems.

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