How depression stigma affects attitude toward help seeking: The mediating effect of depression somatization

• Xia Wang

  Hunan Normal University

• Shun Peng

  Changsha University of Science and Techology

• Huang Li

  Hunan Normal University

• Yunshi Peng

  Hunan Normal University

We investigated the relationships among the social stigma associated with depression, somatization of depression-related symptoms, and help seeking. Participants were 357 Chinese undergraduate students. Stigma, somatization, and help seeking were measured with a neuropsychological assessment and validated clinical scales. We performed a path (principal components) analysis of the role of somatization as a mediator in the relationship between depression stigma and help seeking, and found that the hypothesized mediation model fit the data well. Our results confirm previous findings on the mediating role of depression somatization in the relationship between depression stigma and attitude towards help seeking. The identification of mediators contributes to the understanding of the mechanisms that prevent help seeking among Chinese college students.

1. Xia Wang, Hunan Normal University
   Department of Psychology
2. Shun Peng, Changsha University of Science and Techology
   School of Liberal Arts and Law
3. Huang Li, Hunan Normal University
   Department of Psychology
4. Yunshi Peng, Hunan Normal University
   Department of Psychology

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