Expanding Counseling Center Use Through Campus Engagement and Social Norming

Abstract

Social norms theory offers a useful frame for understanding student use of university counseling centers. This study found engagement in the forms of living and working on campus and estimation of how many students on campus are using the university counseling center was significantly associated with counseling center use. Students' estimation of other students' counseling center use also mediated the relationship between on-campus living and counseling center use. These results suggest a positive campus norm around counseling center use. Recommendations for how student affairs offices can encourage this norm are offered.