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Therapy Taboo in Sweden? A study investigating perceived public stigma, self-stigma, and attitudes toward seeking professional therapy

Kristensen, Sujatha LU (2015) PSYK11 20151
Department of Psychology
Abstract
This thesis examines which factors (gender, age, level of education, and prior experience of therapy) that impact attitudes towards seeking therapy in Sweden, and if any significant main effects and interaction effects are present. Further, the thesis also aims to examine which variable, perceived public stigma or self-stigma, is the best to predict attitudes toward seeking therapy. The study was conducted through surveys examining 193 participants (96 men and 97 women) aged 19 to 62, mainly recruited in Malmö. The results showed that participants that had studied at university, were women, and had prior experience of therapy, were more positive towards seeking therapy. Age was not a significant factor. Further, participants with higher... (More)
This thesis examines which factors (gender, age, level of education, and prior experience of therapy) that impact attitudes towards seeking therapy in Sweden, and if any significant main effects and interaction effects are present. Further, the thesis also aims to examine which variable, perceived public stigma or self-stigma, is the best to predict attitudes toward seeking therapy. The study was conducted through surveys examining 193 participants (96 men and 97 women) aged 19 to 62, mainly recruited in Malmö. The results showed that participants that had studied at university, were women, and had prior experience of therapy, were more positive towards seeking therapy. Age was not a significant factor. Further, participants with higher self-stigma and perceived public stigma were less positive towards seeking therapy. Self-stigma was the best variable to predict attitudes toward seeking therapy and accounted for 28% of the total variance. Further, in terms of gender, men were found to experience a higher level of self-stigma than women. Surprisingly only half of the participants knew where to turn to seek therapy. This suggests that there is a gap between availability of mental health services and the public’s knowledge, which needs to be filled. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Kristensen, Sujatha LU
supervisor
organization
course
PSYK11 20151
year
type
M2 - Bachelor Degree
subject
keywords
attitudes toward seeking professional psychological help scale (ATSPPHS)., social stigma scale, self-stigma, perceived public stigma, help seeking, seeking therapy, attitudes
language
English
id
7856677
date added to LUP
2015-09-07 09:16:32
date last changed
2015-09-07 09:16:32
@misc{7856677,
  abstract     = {{This thesis examines which factors (gender, age, level of education, and prior experience of therapy) that impact attitudes towards seeking therapy in Sweden, and if any significant main effects and interaction effects are present. Further, the thesis also aims to examine which variable, perceived public stigma or self-stigma, is the best to predict attitudes toward seeking therapy. The study was conducted through surveys examining 193 participants (96 men and 97 women) aged 19 to 62, mainly recruited in Malmö. The results showed that participants that had studied at university, were women, and had prior experience of therapy, were more positive towards seeking therapy. Age was not a significant factor. Further, participants with higher self-stigma and perceived public stigma were less positive towards seeking therapy. Self-stigma was the best variable to predict attitudes toward seeking therapy and accounted for 28% of the total variance. Further, in terms of gender, men were found to experience a higher level of self-stigma than women. Surprisingly only half of the participants knew where to turn to seek therapy. This suggests that there is a gap between availability of mental health services and the public’s knowledge, which needs to be filled.}},
  author       = {{Kristensen, Sujatha}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Therapy Taboo in Sweden? A study investigating perceived public stigma, self-stigma, and attitudes toward seeking professional therapy}},
  year         = {{2015}},
}