Investigating Help-Seeking Intentions in Generalised Anxiety Disorder
: The moderating relationship of self-esteem on the stigma associated with seeking support for Generalised Anxiety Disorder

  • Lauren Shipman

Student thesis: Master's Thesis

Abstract

Generalised Anxiety Disorder is one of the most prevalent mental health conditions, yet many individuals who suspect that they may have the condition can be reluctant to seek professional help. Previously, stigma and self-esteem have been suggested as significant contributing factors toward a person’s motivation to seek help, but it is unknown whether these motivational factors can have a moderating interaction on the other. The present study aimed to further evidence the patterns of stigma and self-esteem on the intentions to seek help, and to explore whether stigma would continue to lower intentions whilst controlling for the positive effects of self-esteem. A repeated measures questionnaire was used to assess individual’s self-esteem and stigma toward Generalised Anxiety Disorder before providing participants with a vignette detailing the lived experience of the condition then measuring intentions to seek help. Although the primary investigations returned non-significant results, a correlation was found between older age and greater intentions to seek help. This outcome was explored further, and recommendations were made to expand mental health literacy for the younger population to make help-seeking routes more accessible for those with suspected Generalised Anxiety Disorder with the aim to increase overall help-seeking behaviours.
Date of Award8 Dec 2025
Original languageEnglish
SupervisorChristopher Bale (Main Supervisor) & Gurjog Bagri (Co-Supervisor)

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