Stigma and Health, Vol 9(1), Feb 2024, 9-19; doi:10.1037/sah0000296
This study examined the mediating role of private stigma toward the utilization of mental health services on the relationship between public stigma toward mental health service use and its intent to use for various mental health issues. This study also examined the generalizability of the mediation model by comparing undergraduate student samples from two countries: The U.S. (N = 359) and the Philippines (N = 359). Multiple-group structural equations modeling indicated partial measurement invariance at the factor loading, item intercept, and latent factor variance and means level. Compared to the U.S. sample, results indicated that the Philippines sample had a higher willingness to seek help for academic problems, but lower intent for drug use issues. After accounting for the measurement noninvariance, structural paths were invariant. For both countries, public stigma was positively associated with private stigma; whereas private stigma was negatively associated with problems related to family and friends, romantic problems, psychological issues, drug use issues, general problems, and academic issues. A significant indirect effect was also found from public stigma to intent to use through private stigma for both samples. Results highlight the importance of culture and the type of problem in understanding the link between stigma and help-seeking behaviors and intent. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved)