Stereotypes about mental health care providers as predictors of psychological help-seeking intentions

Abstract

The aim of this study was to explore predictors of help-seeking intentions for mental health problems. This study examined warmth and competence stereotypes about mental health care providers, in relation to help-seeking intentions. A total of 338 adults participated in the study. They were asked to rate their stereotypes about psychologists, psychiatrists, family doctors, clergypersons, and astrologers, and intentions to seek help for mental health problems on a number of Likert-type scales. The results showed that the stereotypes about helping professionals in the mental health care field were significant predictors of intentions to seek help. Higher perceptions about the competence of a family doctor, psychologist, clergyman and astrologer and higher perceptions about warmth of a psychiatrist indicated potential clients’ willingness to seek their help. Differences in predictors of the help-seeking intentions between different mental health care provider professions revealed a complex network of beliefs based on professional stereotypes about mental health care providers.