Stigma is considered an important barrier to seeking mental health services. Two types of stigma exist: public stigma and self-stigma. Theoretically, it has been argued that public stigma leads to the development of self-stigma. However, the empirical support for this assertion is limited to cross-sectional data. Therefore, the goal of this…

Mental health stigma is a ubiquitous concern impacting help-seeking in the United States and worldwide, including in college students. Insufficient attention has been given to the cultural context of stigma and help-seeking in Asian Americans, constructs in which culture has inherent relevance. The current study was the first to develop and test…

This study examined the relationship between labels used to refer to mental health, whether or not participants were asked to reflect on their preconceived notions around these labels, and endorsement of mental health stigma across multiple dimensions. Based on the body of literature addressing how mental health stigma is transmitted via the…

Objective: To examine perceptions of mental health stigma among first-year student service members/veterans (SSM/Vs). Participants: 107 SSM/Vs enrolled in a first-semester seminar completed a pre- and post-test measuring five constructs; 1) stigma toward mental health in the military, 2) academic readiness, 3) mental health stigma in college, 4)…

Objective: To evaluate a WeChat-based HIV and AIDS educational intervention to enhance knowledge, improve attitudes and reduce stigma among college students in China. Design: Randomised controlled trial. Setting: Public research university in China. Method: A total of 111 college students were randomly assigned to either an intervention group or a…

The present study critically analyzes relevant literature on peer support and help-seeking behaviors among college students as it relates to mental health stigma. The purpose of this study emphasizes the growing concern of mental health in higher education as colleges continue to navigate the challenges to support students experiencing levels of…

Little remains known about the degree to which autistic university students are stigmatized relative to students with other diagnoses. We conducted an online survey with students in New York City (n = 633) and Beirut (n = 274). Students with diagnoses that were perceived as dangerous (e.g., psychopathy) were more stigmatized than students with…

Among college students in the United States nationally, non-suicidal self-injurious (NSSI) behaviors have become alarmingly and increasingly common. Among those willing to disclose, recent estimates indicate 25-30% engaged in NSSI in 2020 alone. Prevalence is significantly elevated among students who identify as a sexual minority (i.e., lesbian,…

Objective: This study identified influences on college students' intentions to assist peers with chronic medical conditions. Participants: A panel of 293 U.S. full-time college students completed online surveys in July, 2017. Methods: Participants reported the number of people they knew with chronic medical conditions, and completed measures of…

Researchers have inconsistently found differences between student-athletes and nonathletes regarding levels of stigma and attitudes toward counseling. One limitation of previous comparison studies is that they do not control for factors known to influence attitudes and stigma, such as gender and previous treatment history. Therefore, the purpose…

Military veterans are stereotyped in the media as either broken human beings or invincible heroes, often creating implicit bias and affecting medical providers' ability to establish trusting relationships. Interactive learning methods can challenge stigma and create empathic connections with veterans in a manner that conveys sensitivity.…

While investigation on family estrangement is growing within academic circles, research regarding the interconnection between experiences of estrangement and higher education (HE) is still limited. Sociological understandings of these issues are even scarcer, with policy interventions and practical guidance forming early interventions in HE. Set…

This study evaluated The Grassroot Project, a middle school sexual health promotion program in Washington, DC that uses university-level athlete role models and sports-based games. Seven schools were allocated to immediate (n = 160) or delayed intervention (n = 166). Students were tested before and immediately after the intervention on attitudes…

Suicide is a concern among college students and on college campuses across the United States. Prior research has shown a number of variables that impact access to help-seeking for students experiencing thoughts of suicide. The present study sought to examine positive and negative relationships among five psychological variables (self-stigma,…

The issues surrounding mental health stigma in higher education are complex and multipronged; perfectly classifying the topic as a "wicked problem" Approximately 55% of students stated they have been diagnosed or treated by a professional for some form of mental illness while in college (American College Health Association, 2017a). The…