Abstract
Although the corresponding literature contains a substantial number of studies on the relationship between psychological factors and attitude towards seeking professional psychological help, the role of some determinants remains unexplored, especially among Polish young adults. The present study investigated diversity among a large cohort of Polish university students related to attitudes towards help-seeking and the regulative roles of gender, level of university education, health locus of control and sense of coherence. The total sample comprised 1706 participants who completed the following measures: Attitude Toward Seeking Professional Psychological Help Scale-SF, Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale, and Orientation to Life Questionnaire (SOC-29). They were recruited from various university faculties and courses by means of random selection. The findings revealed that, among socio-demographic variables, female gender moderately and graduate of university study strongly predict attitude towards seeking help. Internal locus of control and all domains of sense of coherence are significantly correlated with the scores related to the help-seeking attitude. Attitudes toward psychological help-seeking are significantly related to female gender, graduate university education, internal health locus of control and sense of coherence. Further research must be performed in Poland in order to validate these results in different age and social groups.
Highlights
IntroductionThe number of mental health disorders in Poland has been apparently rising over the last two decades or so [1,2]
According to current estimates, the number of mental health disorders in Poland has been apparently rising over the last two decades or so [1,2]
A t-test was performed to explore possible differences among participants in attitude toward seeking professional psychological help based on gender, educational level, social background and psychological factors
Summary
The number of mental health disorders in Poland has been apparently rising over the last two decades or so [1,2]. One of the major causes of this state of affairs is related to the consequences of far-reaching socio-economic changes that occurred in this country during last 25 years. It seems that the existing forms of mental health care have become largely inadequate, and——the present mental disorder prevention system requires substantial transformation. Despite the high prevalence of mental health problems among Polish adolescents and young adults, only a small proportion may be said to receive any professional help. Better access to appropriate mental health care would positively influence their future, and this is the reason why those individuals who face urgent mental health problems need early intervention and professional consultation
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