Mental Health Stigma Among Medical Professionals in Pakistan: Its Role in Shaping Help-Seeking Behaviors

Abstract

This study explored just how self-stigma as well as perceived stigma relate to the question of whether medical professionals in Pakistan seek help, while it focused on gender plus work setting differences. Researchers employed a cross-sectional correlational design, collecting data through convenience sampling from 150 doctors working in government hospitals, private hospitals, and clinics. By administration of the Self-Stigma of Seeking Help Scale (SSOSH) and the Perceived Stigma and Barriers to Care Scale (PSB-PC), internalized and external stigma were assessed. Findings showed an important positive correlation of perceived stigma with self-stigma for external judgments contribute to internalized shame when people seek psychological support. For male doctors, reported levels of self-stigma were higher than those for females, which differed by gender, too. Doctors at government hospitals demonstrated greatly greater self-stigma compared to those at private clinics. Institutional culture has an influence, as is indicated by the results. The study results show it is vital to fix bias in the medical field. Interventions attentive to gender provide organizational support to normalize medical professionals seeking psychological help