The mediation role of help-seeking intention between mental symptoms and professional help-seeking behavior in adults: the moderating effect of self-efficacy

Abstract

Objective To explore the mediating effect and moderating effect of professional psychological help-seeking intention and self-efficacy between mental symptoms and professional psychological help-seeking behavior in Chinese adults. Methods Totally 618 adult samples were selected on the internet and completed measures of help-seeking questionnaire, ISCI, SCL-90 and GSES. Results Females and middle adulthood subjects got higher ISCI and GSES scores than males and early adulthood subjects ((82.7±6.7) vs (77.8±7.8), (83.9±6.2) vs (76.8±7.3); all P<0.01). SCL-90 was significantly and positively correlated with psychological help-seeking behavior(r=0.162, P<0.01). ISCI was found to mediate the association between SCL-90 and psychological help-seeking behavior(effect value=-0.004, 95%CI=-0.008--0.002). GSES significantly moderated the mediating effect of ISCI(B=0.006, P<0.05). Conclusion ISCI plays a mediating role between mental symptoms and professional psychological help-seeking behavior, which was moderated by GSES in Chinese adults. Key words: Adult; Mental symptoms; Help-seeking behavior; Help-seeking intention; Self-efficacy