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Psychotherapy Stigma and Its Origins: Mental Health Disorders, Treatment-Seeking, or Both?
Department: Psychology
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Paper000
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Pocatello
Unknown to Unknown
Angelina Conrow
Idaho State University
Thesis
No
6/25/2025
digital
City: Pocatello
Master
Stigma has been identified as a significant obstacle for many when it comes to getting treatment for mental health concerns. However, current studies have yet to fully address whether stigma toward psychotherapy is based on the act of seeking and engaging in psychotherapy or whether it is based on the assumed experience of having a mental health concern. The aim of the current study was to experimentally test this nuance to better identify the origins of stigma toward psychotherapy. Participants were randomized into one of six conditions, where they unknowingly interacted with a confederate who they believed was another research participant. During the interaction, the confederate disclosed that they were or were not experiencing depression. They also disclosed either engaging in psychotherapy, engaging in exercise, or doing nothing. Participants then rated the confederate on a number of dimensions, including willingness to work with the confederate for a social game and perceptions of the individual. Results showed that participants were more likely to betray the confederate in a social game when they did not disclose depression, χ2 (1) = 5.41, p = .02, φ = .29. There were no significant differences between conditions for preferences of working with the person again or for positive or negative impressions of them. While these results suggest that some mental health stigma may be dissipating, they may also help create a more nuanced picture of how individuals with mental health concerns are perceived, hopefully better informing anti-stigma interventions. Keywords: Stigma, Psychotherapy, Treatment-Seeking, Mental Health, Depression

Psychotherapy Stigma and Its Origins: Mental Health Disorders, Treatment-Seeking, or Both?

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