Emotion self‐stigma as a unique predictor of help‐seeking intentions: A comparative analysis of early adolescents and young adults

Abstract Objectives There has been limited consideration of the role emotion self‐stigma (i.e. beliefs that experiencing and expressing so called ‘negative’ emotions are unacceptable) may play in help‐seeking for emotional distress. This study is the first to investigate whether emotion self‐stigma uniquely predicts help‐seeking intentions across two key emotion vulnerability periods in development: (a) early adolescence and (b) young adulthood. Methods and Design Cross‐sectional data were collected from secondary school ( n = 510; M age = 13.96 years) and university students ( n = 473; M age = 19.19 years) residing in Australia. Both samples completed measures online examining demographic characteristics, emotional competence, mental health and help‐seeking stigma, emotion self‐stigma, and help‐seeking intentions. The Data were analysed using hierarchical multiple regression. Results Emotion self‐stigma was a significant unique predictor of help‐seeking intentions in young adults but not adolescents. The strength of the relationship between increased emotion self‐stigma and lowered help‐seeking intentions was similar for both males and females, regardless of developmental period. Conclusions Addressing emotion self‐stigma alongside mental illness and help‐seeking stigma may be useful to improve help‐seeking outcomes, particularly as young people transition into early adulthood.