Self-labeling as having a mental or physical illness: the effects of stigma and implications for help-seeking

Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol. 2020 Jul;55(7):907-916. doi: 10.1007/s00127-019-01787-7. Epub 2019 Oct 22.

Abstract

Purpose: Personal and perceived stigma can hinder persons in appraising their symptoms as constituting part of a mental illness (self-labeling), an important early step in the help-seeking process. This study examines the impact of personal and perceived stigma on self-labeling and provides prospective data on the possible connections between self-labeling and help-seeking behavior.

Methods: Personal stigmatizing attitudes, perceived stigma and self-labeling behavior as well as their statistical connections were cross-sectionally investigated in a community sample of 207 participants with a present untreated mental health problem. We further conducted prospective analyses to investigate possible associations between self-labeling and help-seeking behavior at 3 and 6 month follow-ups. Socio-demographics, previous treatment and depression symptoms were also measured as potential confounders.

Results: Personal stigmatizing attitudes were significantly more pronounced in respondents who self-labeled as physically compared to mentally ill, while group differences in levels of perceived stigma were not. Self-labeling as physically or mentally ill increased the likelihood of seeking help from the health service provider deemed most suitable for that label (physical: GP, p <0.05; mental: MHP, p < 0.1) compared to persons who applied no self-label.

Conclusions: The findings suggest that personal stigmatizing attitudes-rather than perceived stigma-impact on self-labeling, and highlight the need for interventions that assist persons with mental illness in overcoming those attitudes. They also underscore the possible impact of self-labeling in the help-seeking process and underline the important role of GPs in mental health care. Further, preferably epidemiological research into the matter would be desirable.

Keywords: Help-seeking; Mental health; Personal stigmatizing attitudes; Self-labeling; Stigma.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Attitude to Health*
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Depression / psychology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mental Disorders / psychology*
  • Mentally Ill Persons / psychology*
  • Middle Aged
  • Patient Acceptance of Health Care / psychology*
  • Prospective Studies
  • Social Stigma*
  • Stereotyping