Home⇛International Journal of Multidisciplinary: Applied Business and Education Research⇛vol. 6 no. 9 (2025)

A Comparative Study of Self-Stigma of Seeking Help among Filipino College Students

Andrea Algen C. Dizon | Dasiree Nicole S. Mandap | Angela Ivonne S. David | Shunpel Francine R. Intal | Abigail Juliana A. Moran | Jerald Q. Vergara | Kimberly Ann S. Esquibel

Discipline: Education

 

Abstract:

This study examined gender differences in self-stigma of seeking psy-chological help among Filipino college students, which was defined as negative beliefs and attitudes that individuals have that are significant barriers to seeking psychological help for mental health concerns. This study employed a causal-comparative design. About 210 students were recruited, with an equal 105 males and 105 females. Utilizing the Self-Stigma of Seeking Help Scale (SSOSH) to assess students' attitudes or behaviors related to seeking psychological or academic help often re-flects their fear of stigma or embarrassment. An independent samples t-test indicated that males reported significantly higher self-stigma (M = 2.79, SD = 0.67) than females (M = 2.33, SD = 0.61), t(208) = -5.24, p < .001, d = 0.72 (large effect). Findings suggest the need for gender-sen-sitive interventions to reduce stigma and promote help-seeking behav-ior among male students. The observation of higher self-stigma in males indicates the influence of gender norms surrounding the stigma in seeking mental health support. To address this, culturally informed programs and mental health education may help encourage help-seek-ing behavior and reduce the stigma.



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