UC Berkeley

Despite the existence of many effective treatments for mental health conditions, services are underused. This treatment gap has resulted in substantial psychological, social, and economic costs (Wang, Simon, & Kessler, 2003). Extant research argues that the stigma pervading mental health categories is a significant barrier to seeking needed care (Corrigan, 2004; Link & Phelan, 2006). The current investigation elucidates the psychological processes underlying people's willingness, and reluctance, to seek treatment. Across six studies, employing observational/correlational and experimental designs, evidence converged on a specific psychological process model. Attributing human qualities to (or humanizing) mental illness evokes compassion toward such individuals, which in turn increases perceivers' own willingness to seek treatment, should such care become needed. These results build on previous research--which has examined the differential attribution of humanity in interpersonal and intergroup contexts--by showing how humanizing a stigmatized social group may influence perceivers' own healthcare decision-making. Implications for (de)humanization, emotion, stigma reduction, and promoting wellness are discussed.

Keywords: (de)humanization, stigma, compassion, treatment-seeking