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Public stigma and attitudes toward psychological help‐seeking in the United Arab Emirates: The mediational role of self‐stigma

PURPOSE
Scholars argue that public stigma is predictive of self-stigma, and self-stigma is a primary predictor of attitudes toward seeking psychological help (ATPH). This assertion remains undetermined outside of the United States. This study examines a potential mediational model in which internalized stigma was hypothesized to mediate the relationship between public stigma and ATPH using a sample in the United Arab Emirates.


DESIGN AND METHODS
Cross-sectional, correlational design; 114 students completed measures of public stigma, self-stigma, and ATPH.


FINDINGS
Full mediation occurred. The sample exhibited high levels of both public stigma and self-stigma. Psychology students manifested diminished levels of stigma and more favorable ATPH. Results are discussed in relation to the prevalent cultural and contextual factors.


PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS
Stigma reduction campaigns in this locale should target internalized stigma and its associated socio-cultural nuances.