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Erschienen in: Community Mental Health Journal 1/2018

27.04.2017 | Original Paper

Attachment and Mental Help-Seeking in the Perinatal Period: The Role of Stigma

verfasst von: Ana Fonseca, Mariana Moura-Ramos, Maria Cristina Canavarro

Erschienen in: Community Mental Health Journal | Ausgabe 1/2018

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Abstract

This study aimed at (1) examining how women’s attachment representations influence their intentions to seek formal help for their emotional problems, either directly or by affecting attitudes towards professional help-seeking (stigma and psychological openness), and (2) examining whether these effects are moderated by the presence of clinically significant psychopathological symptoms. A cross-sectional online survey including 226 women during the perinatal period was conducted. Results showed that, when clinically significant psychopathological symptoms were present, women’s more insecure attachment representations were associated with lower intentions to seek professional help, and this influence occurred throughout a decrease in women’s indifference to stigma associated with mental healthcare. These results support both the intra and interpersonal nature of the help-seeking process, and highlight the importance of implementing stigma reduction strategies (e.g., awareness campaigns, health professional’s non-judgmental questioning of emotional difficulties), particularly in women with clinically significant psychopathological symptoms.
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Metadaten
Titel
Attachment and Mental Help-Seeking in the Perinatal Period: The Role of Stigma
verfasst von
Ana Fonseca
Mariana Moura-Ramos
Maria Cristina Canavarro
Publikationsdatum
27.04.2017
Verlag
Springer US
Erschienen in
Community Mental Health Journal / Ausgabe 1/2018
Print ISSN: 0010-3853
Elektronische ISSN: 1573-2789
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-017-0138-3

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