Self-Labeling as Having Mental Health Illness among Psychology Students

Abstract

This study aimed to explore how and why psychology students label themselves as having a mental health disorder and how it impacts their lives using a qualitative approach with the help of thematic analysis. A sample of 10 students was taken and a semi-structured interview was administered to them. Thematic analysis was conducted on the data obtained which revealed 7 themes: Onset of self-labeling, effects of studying psychology, sources, effects of labeling, measures taken to manage symptoms, differences in labeling from the past, and labeling others. It was concluded that students tend to start labeling when formally exposed to the subject of abnormal psychology which becomes more concrete by the time, they are doing their Master’s. Many sources are used to confirm the label and that studying psychology also sometimes leads students to label other individuals they come across.