The Relationship between Stigma and Other Treatment Concerns and Subsequent Treatment Engagement among Black Mental Health Clients

Abstract

This study examined stigma (both the perception that mental illness is stigmatized and stigma concerns about entering treatment) and other treatment concerns along with subsequent treatment engagement within three months in a sample of 42 black adults referred to public-sector outpatient treatment. Contrary to expectation, perceived stigma of mental illness was unrelated to treatment engagement; however having stigma or other concerns about treatment was associated with increased odds of engagement. Findings indicate the importance of examining stigma as a multi-dimensional construct and raise questions about the utility of addressing stigma as a way of promoting service use in black adults. More work is clearly needed to understand the complex relationship between stigma and help-seeking in black populations and other underserved groups.