Research on Depression Literacy, Perceived Stigma and Help-Seeking Intentions of Teenagers from First and Second Tiered Cities in China
- 1 Tianjin Foreign Languages School, Tianjin, China
Abstract
[ Objective ] To understand teenagers’ depression literacy, perceived stigma and intention to seek for help if suffering from depression , to explore the relationship among the three variables and the factors that influence these variables , to provide scientific evidence for further education on mental health for teenagers, reduction of stigma, and raising teenagers’ intention to seek for professional help. [ Methods ] By convenient sampling, 77 teenagers from first and second tiered cities in China were selected through on the website Wenjuanxing. Depression Stigma Scale (DSS), Adolescent Depression Knowledge Questionnaire, and self-designed questionnaires on intentions to seek for help and on general information were used to measure the sample’s perceived stigma, depression literacy, intentions to seek for help and general information respectively. [ Results ] The sample’s average score of depression literacy was 10.86. Age and experiences of depression had influence on depression literacy. Information sources for depression knowledge w ere mainly the internet (72.6%) and peers (64.5%). The sample’s average score of perceived stigma was 23.8, higher than the mid score 21, indicating a slightly lower perceived stigma. There was a negative correlation between perceived stigma and depression literacy (r = 0.338, p < 0.01). 72 (93.5%) of the sample claimed that they will seek for professional help if they find themselves suffering from depression. The main recourse to help was professionals (61.1%). The possible obstacle for help seeking was mainly stigma factor. Perceived stigma was showed to have an effect on intention to seek for help (p = 0.003 < 0.01). [ Conclusion ] Teenagers aged 15 - 19 who reported to have similar symptom of depression had higher score in depression literacy. Perceived stigma and depression literacy are negatively correlated. Perceived stigma had influence on intention to seek for help.
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