title: Predictors of the change in self-stigma following a single session of group counseling.
abstract: One of the major obstacles to seeking psychological help is the stigma associated with counseling and therapy. Self-stigma, the fear of losing self-respect or self-esteem as a result of seeking help, is an important factor in the help-seeking process. In the present study, college students meeting a clinical cutoff for psychological symptoms participated in 1 session of group counseling that either contained therapist self-disclosure or did not. In general, participants reported significantly less self-stigma following the session. Working alliance-bond and session depth significantly predicted the change in self-stigma. Furthermore, self-stigma (as well as bond, depth, psychological symptoms, and being female) predicted the intention to seek help following the session. Self-stigma and session depth also predicted interest in continuing with counseling. The therapist self-disclosure condition, however, had no effect on the change in self-stigma, intentions to seek help, or interest in continuing with group counseling.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology.
authors.forename: Nathaniel G
authors.initials: NG
authors.lastname: Wade
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology.
authors.forename: Brian C
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Post
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology.
authors.forename: Marilyn A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Cornish
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology.
authors.forename: David L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Vogel
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology.
authors.forename: Jeritt R
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-2857-8758
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Tucker
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007484:Iowa; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology*; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group; D012649:Self Concept; D012650:Self Disclosure; D017678:Sex Distribution; D013240:Stereotyping; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology; D055815:Young Adult