Framing Effects on Stigma and Help-Seeking

Loading...
Thumbnail Image
Authors
Gibbons, Deborah E.
Aros, Susan K.
Nelson, Alan E.
Subjects
stigma reduction
unhealthy behaviors
mental health
Advisors
Date of Issue
2022
Date
2022
Publisher
Monterey, California: Naval Postgraduate School
Language
Abstract
This study examines stigma and related factors that reduce help-seeking in the Navy across the N17 program enterprise. The intended outcome will be to measure effectiveness of changes in language related to the DoD's Integrated Primary Prevention Policy (DoDI 6400.09) and to identify language that encourage help-seeking among Sailors. The research will consider effects of message framing alongside broader influences such as organizational culture and structure, individual differences (e.g., gender, rank, personality) and openness to coaching about life skills. This research plan allows for the possibility that effects of language on stigma and help-seeking may vary among persons and communities within the socio-cultural environment of the Navy. Research methods include review of current literature, conduct of focus group meetings, and surveys of Naval community members. The literature review will establish known principles about how to encourage help-seeking and support formulation of discussion questions, message frames, and scenarios for further exploration via focus groups. The focus groups will include members of various communities within the Navy, inviting their assessment of current practices and attitudes, and their consideration of alternative approaches to encourage help-seeking. Following analysis of focus group data, the survey will collect quantitative data about attitudes toward help-seeking, socio-cultural factors in the environment that may affect stigma and help-seeking, and individual differences that might impact personal attitudes. An interim report following the focus group meetings will identify issues that frequently arise, message frames that participants see as positive or negative, and qualitative assessments of alternative ways to discuss help-seeking. The final report will explain results of the surveys and include recommendations to further support help-seeking among Navy personnel.
Type
Report
Description
NPS NRP Executive Summary
Department
Department of Defense Management (DDM)
Organization
Naval Research Program (NRP)
Identifiers
NPS Report Number
Sponsors
N1 - Manpower, Personnel, Training & Education
Funder
This research is supported by funding from the Naval Postgraduate School, Naval Research Program (PE 0605853N/2098). https://nps.edu/nrp
Chief of Naval Operations (CNO)
Format
Citation
Distribution Statement
Approved for public release. Distribution is unlimited. 
Rights
This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.
Collections