Age differences in public stigma, self-stigma, and attitudes toward seeking help: A moderated mediation model

Stigma is commonly identified as a key reason that older adults are especially unlikely to seek mental health services, although few studies have tested this assumption. Our objectives were to: (a) examine age differences in public and self-stigma of seeking help, and attitudes toward seeking help, and (b) see whether age moderates an internalized stigma of seeking help model.

A total of 5,712 Canadians ranging in age from 18 to 101 completed self-report measures of public stigma of seeking help, self-stigma of seeking help, and help-seeking attitudes.

Older participants had the lowest levels of stigma and the most positive help-seeking attitudes. Age also moderated the mediation model, such that the indirect effect of public stigma on help-seeking attitudes through self-stigma was strongest for older participants.

Our findings have implications for the influence of stigma and attitudes as barriers to treatment across the adult lifespan, and for stigma reduction interventions.