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Mental health problems among clinical psychologists: Stigma and its impact on disclosure and help‐seeking
Author(s) -
Tay Stacie,
Alcock Kat,
Scior Katrina
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
journal of clinical psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.124
H-Index - 119
eISSN - 1097-4679
pISSN - 0021-9762
DOI - 10.1002/jclp.22614
Subject(s) - psychology , stigma (botany) , mental health , clinical psychology , psychiatry , self disclosure , applied psychology , social psychology
Objective(s) To assess the prevalence of personal experiences of mental health problems among clinical psychologists, external, perceived, and self‐stigma among them, and stigma‐related concerns relating to disclosure and help‐seeking. Method Responses were collected from 678 UK‐based clinical psychologists through an anonymous web survey consisting of the Social Distance Scale, Stig‐9, Military Stigma Scale, Secrecy Scale, Attitudes towards Seeking Professional Psychological Help Scale‐Short Form, alongside personal experience and socio‐demographic questions. Results Two‐thirds of participants had experienced mental health problems themselves. Perceived mental health stigma was higher than external and self‐stigma. Participants were more likely to have disclosed in their social than work circles. Concerns about negative consequences for self and career, and shame prevented some from disclosing and help‐seeking. Conclusions Personal experiences of mental health problems among clinical psychologists may be fairly common. Stigma, concerns about negative consequences of disclosure and shame as barriers to disclosure and help‐seeking merit further consideration.