Help-seeking and help-receiving behavior in the Austrian general population and the impact of self-stigma
The aim of this study was to examine help-seeking and help-receiving behavior in the Austrian general population, investigate associations with psychological distress and symptom burden, and explore the moderating role of self-stigma. A representative sample (stratified by age, gender, education level, province of residence, and their intersections) of Austrian residents included data from N = 2,205 participants collected through an online survey. We assessed help-seeking behavior using the General Help-Seeking Questionnaire (GHSQ) and self-stigma using the Self-Stigma of Seeking Help Scale (SSOSH). Symptom burden was assessed with validated German versions of the self-report questionnaires screening for depression (PHQ-9), anxiety (GAD-7), insomnia (ISI-7), perceived stress (PSS-4), loneliness (SOEP), and alcohol misuse (CAGE).
This research project was supported by the initial funding of the Faculty of Psychotherapy Science of the Sigmund Freud University Vienna.
The project was pre-registered at ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT06621537.
Currently under review (to be updated)