Date of Publication

7-8-2026

Document Type

Master's Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Psychology Major in Clinical Psychology

Subject Categories

Clinical Psychology

College

College of Liberal Arts

Department/Unit

Psychology

Thesis Advisor

Homer J. Yabut

Defense Panel Chair

Darren E. Dumaop

Defense Panel Member

John Jamir Benzon R. Aruta
Justin Vianey M. Embalsado

Abstract (English)

Catholic priests in the Philippines face substantial psychological demands arising from pastoral responsibilities. Despite increasing recognition of clergy mental health concerns, little empirical research has examined factors influencing Filipino priests’ attitudes toward seeking professional psychological help.

Grounded in Social Identity Theory, this study investigated whether priestly identity predicts mental help-seeking attitudes and whether this relationship is mediated by self-stigma of seeking help and spiritual bypass.  Using a cross-sectional design, 211 Filipino Catholic priests completed measures of priestly identity, self-stigma of seeking help, spiritual bypass, mental help-seeking attitudes, and psychological distress. Serial mediation analysis was conducted, controlling for demographic variables.

Contrary to assumptions, priestly identity significantly predicted more positive attitudes toward mental help-seeking. Self-stigma partially mediated this relationship, such that stronger priestly identity was associated with lower self-stigma, which in turn predicted more favorable help-seeking attitudes. Spiritual bypass did not independently mediate the relationship, nor did the proposed serial mediation pathway receive support.

Findings suggest that priestly identity may function as a psychological resource rather than a barrier, reducing internalized stigma and supporting openness to professional mental health services. Interventions aimed at clergy mental health may benefit from leveraging vocational identity and directly addressing self-stigma, rather than assuming that religious identity inherently discourages psychological help-seeking.

Keywords: clergy mental health, priestly identity, help-seeking, self-stigma, spiritual bypass

Abstract Format

html

Abstract (Filipino)

Humaharap ang mga paring Katoliko sa Pilipinas sa mabibigat na hamong sikolohikal, dulot ng kanilang mga gampaning pastoral.  Sa kabila ng lumalawak na pagkilala sa usapin tungkol sa kalusugang pangkaisipan ng mga pari, kakaunti pa rin ang mga empirikal na pag-aaral na sumusuri sa mga salik na nakakaapekto sa mga saloobin ng mga pari hinggil sa propesyunal na tulong sikolohikal.

Bunsod ng Social Identity Theory, siniyasat ng pag-aaral na ito kung ang kanilang pagkakakilanlan bilang pari o “priestly identity” ay may kaugnayan sa kanilang saloobin tungkol sa paghingi ng propesyunal na tulong sikolohikal o “mental help-seeking attitudes”, at kung ang ugnayang ito ay dumadaan sa pamamagitan (mediated) ng kahihiyan sa sarili dahil sa pagdulog sa tulong sikolohikal o “self-stigma of seeking help” at ng pag-iwas sa suliranin gamit ang espiritwalidad o “spiritual bypass”.  Gamit ang isang disenyong kruseksyonal, 211 paring Katolikong Pilipino ang sumagot ng mga panukat ng priestly identity, self-stigma of seeking help, spiritual bypass, mental help-seeking attitudes, at psychological distress. Isinagawa ang serial mediation analysis, samantalang kinokontrol ang mga baryabol na demograpiko.

Taliwas sa inaasahan, ang higit na priestly identity ay makabuluhang nagpahiwatig ng mas positibong mental help-seeking attitudes.  Ang self-stigma ay bahagyang namamagitan sa ugnayang ito, kung saan ang mas matibay na priestly identity ay nagpapahiwatig ng mas mababang self-stigma, na siya namang nagpapahiwatig ng mas mainam na help-seeking attitudes.  Ang spiritual bypass ay hindi nagsilbing tagapamagitan sa ugnayang ito, at hindi rin napatunayan ang iminungkahing serial mediation.

Ang mga datos na ito ay hudyat na ang priestly identity ay hindi naman hadlang, bagkus pantulong pa nga, sa pagpapababa ng kahihiyan sa sarili at pagiging bukas sa paghingi ng propesyunal na tulong para sa kalusugang pangkaisipan.  Maaaring makatulong sa kalusugang pangkaisipan ng mga pari ang mga hakbanging nakatuon sa pagpapatibay ng kanilang pagkakakilanlan bilang pari at sa tahasang pagsugpo sa kanilang kahihiyan sa sarili sa paghingi ng tulong sa propesyunal. 

Abstract Format

html

Language

English

Format

Electronic

Keywords

Mental health—Religious aspects; Catholic Church—Clergy; Stigma (Social psychology)

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Embargo Period

7-26-2028

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Available for download on Wednesday, July 26, 2028

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