PERCEIVED STIGMA, PROFESSIONAL BURNOUT, AND OPENNESS TO PSYCHOLOGICAL HELP AMONG REHABILITATION SPECIALIZATION STUDENTS

Abstract

Background: Professional burnout is increasingly recognized as a significant concern among healthcare students, particularly those specializing in rehabilitation sciences such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and speech-language pathology. The demanding academic workload and clinical responsibilities place these students at heightened risk for emotional exhaustion and reduced personal accomplishment. Additionally, perceived stigma surrounding mental health issues often discourages students from seeking psychological support, potentially exacerbating burnout and negatively impacting academic performance and future professional competence.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the relationship between perceived stigma, professional burnout, and openness to psychological help among rehabilitation specialization students in Lahore, Gujranwala, and Faisalabad.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted after obtaining ethical approval from the relevant institutional review boards. A total of 300 rehabilitation specialization students were recruited using a non-probability convenience sampling technique from universities across the three cities. Inclusion criteria encompassed students enrolled in physiotherapy, occupational therapy, or speech-language pathology programs, while those with pre-existing diagnosed mental health conditions were excluded. Participants completed a self-administered questionnaire consisting of four sections: demographic information, the Perceived Stigma Scale, the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), and the Attitudes Toward Seeking Professional Psychological Help Scale (ATSPPH). A pilot study involving 30 participants confirmed the questionnaire’s reliability (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.78). Data were analyzed using SPSS version 24, with descriptive statistics applied to demographic data, Pearson’s correlation for relationships between variables, and multiple regression analysis to identify predictors of help-seeking behavior.

Results: Among participants, 40.2% reported high levels of emotional exhaustion, 35.8% experienced moderate burnout, and 24.0% exhibited low burnout. Perceived stigma was prevalent in 56.3% of students, while 68.9% recognized the benefits of mental health services. Despite this awareness, only 21.4% had previously sought psychological help. A significant negative correlation was found between perceived stigma and openness to seeking psychological support (r = -0.482, p < 0.001). Additionally, burnout demonstrated a moderate positive correlation with stigma (r = 0.365, p = 0.002).

Conclusion: The study underscores the detrimental effect of perceived stigma on rehabilitation students' willingness to seek psychological help. Although awareness of mental health benefits was high, stigma remained a major barrier. Institutional support programs, stigma-reduction campaigns, and peer counseling initiatives are necessary to foster a more supportive academic environment and enhance mental well-being among students.