Perceptions of Mental Illness Stigma: Comparisons of Athletes to Nonathlete Peers
Abstract
Stigma related to mental health and its treatment can thwart help-seeking. The current study assessed college athletes’ personal and perceived public mental illness stigma and compared this to nonathlete students. Athletes (N = 304) were National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I athletes representing 16 teams. Results indicated that athletes reported greater perceived public stigma than personal stigma. Athletes reported significantly higher levels of stigma compared to nonathlete peers (n = 103). Accordingly, athletes may benefit from education that can reduce the stigma of mental illness and reduce prejudices toward those who are seeking treatment. Additional implications for improving access to care are discussed.
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Perceived stigma associated with seeking mental health care and service availability are common challenges for college athletes attempting to use mental health resources.
“Common challenges for college athletes attempting to use mental health resources include perceived stigma associated with seeking mental health care [4] and service availability [5]”
From Mobile-Delivered Mindfulness Intervention on Anxiety Level Among College Athletes: Randomized Controlled Trial (2024) · cites this paper as [4]
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- Authors
- Kaier, E., Cromer, L. D., Johnson, M. D., Strunk, K., & Davis, J. L.
- Venue
- Journal of College Student Development
- Publisher
- Project MUSE
- Published
- 2015-10
- Volume
- 56
- Issue
- 7
- Pages
- 735-739
- ISSN
- 0897-5264 (ISSN-L)
- 1543-3382
- OpenAlex
- W2205763259
- Cited by
- 81
- References
- 12
- Citations by year
- 2026: 5 · 2025: 9 · 2024: 7 · 2023: 8 · 2022: 9 · 2021: 12 · 2020: 8 · 2019: 10 · 2018: 8 · 2017: 3 · 2016: 2
- FWCI
- 7.10
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of college student development (publishedVersion)
- Project Muse (Johns Hopkins University) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Mental Health Treatment and Access
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychological Treatments and Assessments
- Social Sciences › Gender Studies › Gender Roles and Identity Studies
- Keywords
- mental health stigma, perceived public stigma, personal stigma, college athletes, help-seeking, psychotherapy, access to mental health care, NCAA Division I athletes
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