Perceived Barriers to Help-Seeking Among Parents of At-Risk Kindergarteners in Rural Communities

Abstract

This study examined help-seeking and perceived barriers to children's mental health service utilization in a large sample of parents living in rural communities who are at various stages in the help-seeking process. The goals were to (a) obtain a demographic profile of at-risk kindergarteners and their parents, (b) examine parent-reported help-seeking behaviors, and (c) assess barriers to mental health service use. Parent and teacher report of the Behavior Assessment System for Children, Second Edition, were used to screen children (N = 597) at kindergarten entry and to identify their risk status. Parents also completed the Barriers to Participation Scale and reported the frequency of help-seeking behaviors related to their child's problems. Using a cutoff score of 1.5 standard deviations above the mean, nearly half (51%) of children were identified as at-risk (76% low risk, 24% high risk) for emotional, behavioral, social, and adaptive problems. Barriers and help-seeking did not differ across parents of low and high risk children. Among parents of at-risk children, only 33% believed their child had a problem. Parents sought informal help more often than professional help; however, medical doctors and school staff were sought most among professionals. The majority of parents (61%) endorsed at least one barrier that would interfere with mental health service use. Results highlight the importance of early school mental health screening and the need for interventions to increase parent problem recognition and engagement in mental health service utilization.