| 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 |