The effect of internalized and social stigma, locus of control, hope and self-compassion on the relationship of psychological symptoms with risky behaviors: A study in a Turkish university sample

Prevention of risky behaviors, often observed with psychological symptoms is important for early adulthood (Arnett, 2018; Üner et al., 2018) and it is recommended to consider relevant sociodemographic and psychological factors (Hayes et al., 2011). Based on Problem Behavior Theory (Jessor, 2016; 2017) this study investigated the mediating roles of (internalized and social) stigma perceptions and the moderator roles of individual factors (locus of control, hope, and self-compassion) in the relationship between risky behaviors and psychological symptoms. Demographic Information, Risky Behaviors Scale-University Form, Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI), Stigma Scale for Receiving Psychological Help (SSRPH), Self Stigma of Seeking Psychological Help (SSSPH), Locus of Control (LoCS), Continuous Hope (CHS) and Self-Compassion Scales (SCS) were applied online to 490 undergraduate students, 258 (52.7%) female and 232 (47.3%) male, in the 18-30 age range (Mean = 21.34 , SD = 2.75) in Turkey. Pearson Correlation tests were used to analyze relationships between variables, T-tests were used for gender comparisons, predictive effects were investigated by Hierarchical Regression, and mediation and moderator roles were examined with PROCESS SPSS tool. While no gender difference was observed in suicidality, other risky behaviors as antisocial behaviors, substance, alcohol, smoking, school dropout and unhealthy diet were higher in males whereas psychological symptom total score and sub-scores other than hostility such as anxiety, negative self, depression and somatization were higher in females. Social stigma mediated the relationship between psychological symtoms and alcohol, cigarette use, suicidal tendency and school dropouts; while self-stigmatization only mediated in substance use; and both were found to mediate in unhealthy diet. The findings are discussed in the light of the relevant literature. Results indicate normalizing psychological support can be protective by preventing social and self-stigmatization. It has been suggested to focus on hope and self-compassion in interventions to prevent suicidal tendencies, antisocial behaviors and school dropout.