How does being female assist help-seeking for mental health problems?

OBJECTIVE: In Australia the prevalence of mental health problems does not vary by gender, but help-seeking and service utilization do. The aim of the present study was to examine a number of attitudinal factors that may influence help-seeking for mental health problems.

METHOD: A cross-sectional community survey was conducted with a sample of 579 rural residents (57.9% female), who completed self-report measures assessing stoicism, alexithymia, perceived and personal stigma and the various facets of the personality trait of openness to experience.

RESULTS: Men scored higher on measures of stoicism and personal stigma associated with mental health problems than women, and compared to women had lower scores on the facets of openness to experience.

CONCLUSIONS: Higher rates of help-seeking for mental health problems by women may be due to lower levels of stoicism and personal stigma related to mental health problems in women compared to men.