Research on Depression Literacy, Perceived Stigma and Help-Seeking Intentions of Teenagers from First and Second Tiered Cities in 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 were 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.
Share and Cite:
Zhu, H. (2020) Research on Depression Literacy, Perceived Stigma and Help-Seeking Intentions of Teenagers from First and Second Tiered Cities in China.
Psychology,
11, 1153-1169. doi:
10.4236/psych.2020.118076.
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