(PS6-61) Breaking the Silence: Investigating the Impact of Stigma on Help-seeking Behaviors Among Adults with a History of Adverse Childhood Experiences in Ghana

Abstract Text: Despite the well-documented high global prevalence and psychological toll of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), adults in Ghana continue to face significant barriers to seeking mental health support. These barriers, driven by cultural stigma and limited mental health literacy, reinforce a cycle of silence and unmet mental health needs. Therefore, this study aims to examine how stigma shapes help-seeking behaviors and whether knowledge of trauma and its impact serves as a protective factor in mitigating its effects. Using a cross-sectional design, we explore two key pathways: (1) whether internalized stigma mediates the relationship between ACE exposure and reduced help-seeking behavior, and (2) whether trauma knowledge moderates the relationship between perceived stigma and willingness to seek help. Data were collected through anonymous surveys measuring ACEs, stigma, trauma-related knowledge, and help-seeking behaviors using validated and reliable assessments. In addition, in-depth interviews were conducted with a subset of participants to provide deeper contextual insights. Of the 196 participants who consented, 104 completed the survey, while one individual opened the survey but declined consent. Participants ranged in age from 19 to 62 years (M = 30, SD = 7), with a gender distribution of 49% women and 50% men. At the time of the study, 66% resided in Ghana, while 33% lived abroad, having left Ghana between the ages of 10 and 34, with an average departure age of 22 years. All participants self-reported having spent at least 10 consecutive years of their childhood in Ghana. For the follow-up interview (n=4), 75% of participants were adults aged 31 or 32. The sample was 50% women, with 75% of participants living in the diaspora. Data cleaning is complete, and analysis is currently underway, with results expected to be finalized for presentation at the ABCT 59th Annual Convention. In particular, we will use the PROCESS Macro for SPSS to test the mediation and moderation hypotheses. While the qualitative interviews have been transcribed, we plan to conduct thematic analysis using Braun & Clarke’s (2006) framework with two independent coders over the summer. Our presentation will include rates of ACEs reported by Ghanaian adult, quantitative results (correlations, mediation, and moderation models), and major themes identified in our qualitative thematic analysis. We hope that this study will offer a nuanced understanding of the socio-cultural influences on mental health help-seeking in Ghana and reinforce the urgent need for culturally sensitive interventions that challenge stigma and encourage open conversations about childhood adversity and mental well-being.