The Development Of Mental Illness Stigma: The Role Of Perceived Social Support, Social Proximity, And Help-Seeking Behavior

<p>The current study sought to explore the relationships mental illness stigmatization may have with perceived social support, proximity, and help-seeking behavior. Based on findings from previously conducted studies, hypotheses were formulated in order to further analyze how perceived social support, proximity, and help-seeking behavior may impact an individual's tendency to stigmatize mental illness. 203 Eastern Kentucky students participated in this study to test these hypotheses. These participants took part in an online study that measured their perceived social support based on their family environment, their proximity to those with a mental illness or mental illness in general, their attitudes regarding seeking out professional help regarding mental health, and their level of stigma. The hypotheses of the current study were not supported by the analyses conducted, and one hypothesis was proven to be contradictory indicating that proximity tends to correlate with higher rates of stigma as opposed to lower rates. The other findings were not significant. </p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science (MS)

Level thesis:degree_level

Master's

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Psychology

Grantor dc:publisher

Eastern Kentucky University

Year

2017

Author dc:creator

• Reed, Emily Kathryn

• Help-seeking behavior
• Mental health
• Social support
• Stigma
• Psychiatric and Mental Health
• Psychology

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2017 Emily Kathryn Reed

Repository record dc:identifier

https://encompass.eku.edu/etd/554

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:encompass.eku.edu:etd-1552