Attitudes toward Help-seeking Counseling, Stigma in Arab context: A Systematic Literature Review

ABSTRACT

@#Researchers have found that most citizens of the Arab world are reluctant to look out for assistance from psychologists and counselors because of negative help-seeking attitudes. This article is a systematic review study, intends to explore the factors that affect attitudes toward counselling among citizens of the Arab region. Besides, this study is procured based on the definitions of attitudes toward psychological help-seeking, various factors affecting the attitudes, and suggestions to deal with obstacles. Electronic database was used to search for appropriate reading materials and hence, a total of 11 articles were found. Findings from different journal sources indicated that stigma, fear of self-disclosing, traditional healing methods, mental Illness conceptualization, culture and family, and religious leaders are still considered major barriers and discussed systematically. Finally, implications and suggestions for future interventional study conclude this article