Abstract
Attitudes toward seeking professional psychological help (ATSPPH) are complex. Help seeking preferences are influenced by various attitudinal and socio-demographic factors and can often result in unmet needs, treatment gaps, and delays in help-seeking. The aims of the current study were to explore the factor structure of the ATSPPH short form (-SF) scale and determine whether any significant socio-demographic differences exist in terms of help-seeking attitudes. Data were extracted from a population-based survey conducted among Singapore residents aged 18–65 years. Respondents provided socio-demographic information and were administered the ATSPPH-SF. Weighted mean and standard error of the mean were calculated for continuous variables, and frequencies and percentages for categorical variables. Confirmatory factor analysis and exploratory factor analysis were performed to establish the validity of the factor structure of the ATSPPH-SF scale. Multivariable linear regressions were conducted to examine predictors of each of the ATSPPH-SF factors. The factor analysis revealed that the ATSPPH-SF formed three distinct dimensions: “Openness to seeking professional help,” “Value in seeking professional help,” and “Preference to cope on one's own.” Multiple linear regression analyses showed that age, ethnicity, marital status, education, and income were significantly associated with the ATSPPH-SF factors. Population subgroups that were less open to or saw less value in seeking psychological help should be targeted via culturally appropriate education campaigns and tailored and supportive interventions.
Highlights
There has been a growing interest in people’s attitudes toward seeking psychological help
The findings from the factor analysis revealed that the Attitudes toward seeking professional psychological help (ATSPPH)-SF scale formed three distinct dimensions comprising “Openness to seeking professional help,” “Value in seeking professional help,” and “Preference to cope on one’s own.”
exploratory factor analysis (EFA) revealed that the ATSPPH-SF scale comprised three distinct components; the first relates to openness to seeking professional help for psychological or emotional problems, the second is about the value in seeking professional help, while the third relates to coping on one’s own and choosing not to seek psychological help
Summary
There has been a growing interest in people’s attitudes toward seeking psychological help. While recent research has shown an increase in the number of people seeking help from psychological services, there is still a significant number who choose not to seek help for mental health problems. This underutilization is often related to stigma (Jorm et al, 2007; Gulliver et al, 2010), reluctance to disclose a diagnosis (Hinson and Swanson, 1993) and anticipated costs (Vogel and Wester, 2003). Several studies have shown that people who have sought professional help at some time in their lives have more positive attitudes toward help-seeking than those who have not (Halgin et al, 1987; Lin and Parikh, 1999)
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