Self-stigma, public stigma and attitudes to seeking coaching among college students

Abstract

BackgroundWhile there is evidence for the effectiveness of coaching, it cannot be of benefit unless clients avail of it. Attitudes are an important predictor of intention and behaviour, and research shows that both self-stigma and public stigma are predictors of attitudes to seeking psychotherapy while one study (Murphy et al., 2022) has found similar patterns in relation to coaching in a working population. Such work has not been conducted among higher education students.AimsTo examine the relationship of both self-stigma and public stigma to attitudes to seeking coaching psychology support among higher education students.MethodA cross-sectional, survey style design was applied, with the data gathered online.ResultsControlling for age and sex, self-stigma emerged as having a strong relationship with attitudes to seeking coaching psychology support. Public stigma did not have a significant direct relationship with attitudes, either bivariately or multivariately. Public stigma did have an indirect relationship with attitudes, mediated by self-stigma.ImplicationsSelf-stigma explains much of the variation in attitudes to seeking coaching psychology support, and also appears to mediate a relationship of public stigma with attitudes. In order to increase openness to coaching among higher education students, campaigns to reduce both forms of stigma are indicated.