Psychological Attitudes of Physicians in Seeking Help and Associated Factors

Background: Physician suicides have been increasing in recent years, and this shows that the psychological state of physicians is a subject that needs research and intervention. We think that the factors affecting the behavior of physicians to seek medical help due to their psychiatric disorders should be addressed. Therefore, we conducted a study examining the relationship between the anxiety, depression and stress levels of physicians, their attitudes toward seeking psychological help, and the degree of self-stigma related to seeking help.

Methods: One hundred sixty-six physicians who accessed online platforms were included in the study, and data were collected using self-report forms. The Depression Anxiety Stress Scale, the Attitudes Toward Seeking Professional Psychological Help Scale, and the Self-Stigma in Seeking Help Scale were used as assessment instruments.

Results: A positive correlation was found between negative attitudes toward seeking psychological help and depression, anxiety, and stress, whereas a negative association was found between positive attitudes and depression, anxiety, and stress. A significant association was found between age and depression and anxiety scores.

Conclusion: Physicians with high levels of depression, anxiety, and stress are more likely to exhibit negative attitudes toward seeking psychological help, and interventions are needed to improve attitudes toward seeking help.

Cite this article as: Göksel P, Ay R, Kılınçel O. Psychological attitudes of physicians in seeking help and associated factors. Psychiatry Clin Psychopharmacol. 2023;33(4):287-291.