Predictors Of Help-seeking Research Articles

Predictors of Help-Seeking: Self-Concept Clarity, Stigma, and Psychological Distress

Multiple studies have shown that individuals with low self-concept clarity (SCC) are highly susceptible to mental health problems (depression and anxiety). However, despite the increased vulnerability to psychopathology, prior research has not examined the relationship between SCC and help-seeking. Hence, to develop a comprehensive understanding of the aforementioned relationship, well-established predictors of help-seeking (psychological distress and stigma) were included in this study. A total of 111 students completed an online survey. Results indicated that lower SCC was associated with higher psychological distress, lower help-seeking propensity, and higher stigma. However, SCC was not found to be a unique predictor of help-seeking above and beyond the established predictors in the multiple regression analysis. Stigma was further divided into perceived public, personal, and perceived peer stigma. The past literature showed no association between perceived public stigma and help-seeking. In addition, perceived public stigma has been found to be higher than personal stigma. Thus, the current study altered the perceived stigma reference group (from “public” to “peer”) to investigate if this change would influence the association with help-seeking. Consistent with prior research, a significant mean difference was found such that perceived public stigma remained significantly higher than personal stigma (95% CI [1.45, 2.34]) and was not correlated with help-seeking or personal stigma. However, both personal and perceived peer stigma were negatively correlated with help-seeking and positively correlated with each other, such that high personal and peer stigma were associated with lower help-seeking. The results can provide insight for future help-seeking intervention programs and mental health stigma reduction campaigns.

Too tough to ask for help? Stoicism and attitudes to mental health professionals in rural Australia.

Rural and remote Australia has long been recognised as an area with reduced help-seeking for mental health concerns and an increased suicide mortality. The current study aimed to investigate the differences between help-seeking intentions and predictors between different locations across Australia to better understand the barriers to seeking help for rural residents. An anonymous online survey measuring attitudes, stoicism, help-seeking intentions and demographics was conducted through various channels across Australia. Differences between locations and relationships between variables of interest were analysed using multiple regression and mediation analysis. In total, 471 participants were included in the analysis, the majority residing in outer regional areas (37.4%), followed by inner regional areas (29.9%), major cities (18.3%), remote areas (12.3%) and very remote areas (2.1%). Location, along with attitudes and stoicism, were predictors of help-seeking. A novel mediation model revealed that attitudes partially mediated the association between stoicism and lower help-seeking intentions for both rural and urban participants. Findings from this study extend knowledge of what differentiates people who are willing from those who are not willing to seek help for a mental health concern or suicidal ideation, by their living location. The findings also suggest practical implications for clinical intervention and community prevention that could assist improving help-seeking for rural Australians in the future.

Help-seeking behavior among Danish veterans with self-reported mental problems – a 22 years register-based follow-up study

Purpose: To estimate the prevalence of utilization of mental health services (MHS) among Danish veterans with self-reported deployment-related mental problems and to identify predictors for help-seeking behavior for mental problems among veterans.Materials and methods: Data on deployment characteristics was obtained from a telephone survey in 2011 among a random sample of veterans deployed during 1996–2009. Only respondents reporting sustained or less sustained mental problems were included, and data from national registers on mental health service utilization and prescribed psychotropics covering up to 22 years of follow-up was obtained. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify predictors of help-seeking.Results: Of 434 respondents with self-reported problems, 333 (77%) received any mental health service after deployment. Of those, 48 (23%) received any help within the first 2 years after deployment start while 128 (61%) did not receive help until after 4 years. Significant predictors for MHS utilization included sustained mental problems, combat exposure characteristics (being injured in combat, watching a fellow soldier suffer injuries), and deployment-related factors (being deployed to >1 mission and being deployed to Afghanistan).Conclusion: These findings highlight the importance of time, and hereunder of a long follow-up period, when measuring the prevalence of help-seeking behavior for individuals experiencing mental problems after military deployment.

Adult attachment, psychological distress and help-seeking in university students: Findings from a cross-sectional online survey in England

We examine psychological distress and mental health help-seeking in UK university students via an online survey of 461 students, of whom 273 reported having psychological distress. We examined the prevalence and predictors of help-seeking in students with psychological distress, with a focus on the role of adult attachment styles along with social support and perceived stigma. Overall, 22% of the sample reported severe psychological distress and 37% reported mild/moderate psychological distress. Of students reporting severe psychological distress, 58% sought help in the past year and 30% were receiving counselling or therapy. In the group with mild/moderate psychological distress, 30% reported help-seeking and 17% were receiving counselling or therapy. For students with psychological distress, being older, having more psychological distress, and higher anxious attachment predicted mental health help-seeking. Social support and perceived mental health stigma did not predict help-seeking in the regression model. There was some evidence that the relationship between avoidant attachment style and help-seeking may depend on level of psychological distress experienced (moderating role). Overall, the results point to considerable unmet mental health needs in the UK university environment. Targeted strategies to promote mental health help-seeking in younger students may be beneficial.

Gender, Rumination, and Awareness of the Perpetrator’s Identity as Predictors of Help-Seeking Among Cyberbullying Victims

Previous studies have highlighted the importance of help-seeking as a strategy that has a potential to reduce incidents of cyberbullying. Although several intervention programs incorporated help-seeking strategies as a key element of education, relatively little is known about the individual factors that may influence help-seeking propensity among victims. The present study investigated cyberbullying-specific factors, dysfunctional emotion regulatory strategies, and psychological resources as possible predictors of help-seeking. A total of 447 cyberbullying victims (49.9% male; Mage = 28.9 years, SD = 9.1) completed an online questionnaire on bullying experiences and other relevant variables. Results indicated that females and those with a higher tendency to ruminate about past cyberbullying incidents were more likely to seek help. Furthermore, victims’ awareness of the perpetrator’s identity was also associated with a greater likelihood of help-seeking. These findings could possibly contribute to the efficacy of intervention programs by increasing general knowledge about individual differences in help-seeking behaviors.

Service Use and Unmet Needs for Substance Use and Mental Disorders in Canada.

To investigate patterns and predictors of help seeking and met/unmet needs for mental health care in a national population health survey. Participants were respondents to the 2012 Canadian Community Health Survey on Mental Health (CCHS-MH; n = 25,133). We used regression to identify the diagnostic and sociodemographic predictors of the use of informal supports, primary care, and specialist care, as well as perceived unmet needs. Eleven percent of Canadians reported using professionally led services for mental health or substance use in 2012, while another 9% received informal supports. Two-thirds of people with substance use disorders did not receive any care, and among those who did, informal supports were most common. Seventy-four percent of people with mood/anxiety disorders and 88% of those with co-occurring disorders did access services, most commonly specialist mental health care. Men, older people, members of ethnocultural minorities, those not born in Canada, those with lower education, and those with higher incomes were less likely to receive care. Unmet needs were higher among people with substance use disorders. Gaps in services continue to exist for some potentially vulnerable population subgroups. Policy and practice solutions are needed to address these unmet needs. In particular, the convergence of research pointing to gaps in the availability and accessibility of high-quality services for substance use in Canada demands attention.

Do Concepts of Depression Predict Treatment Pathways? A Closer Look at Explanatory Models Among Clinical and Nonclinical Samples in Uganda.

Explanatory models (EMs) are a collection of beliefs about a disorder that can help us understand help-seeking and treatment pathways in diverse contexts. In 2 related studies, we explore EMs about depression held among both clinical and nonclinical samples in Uganda. To explore the potential of EMs to predict help seeking, we assessed the relationship between 2 main aspects of the EM: problem conceptualization and treatment. In Study 1, we interviewed and assessed EMs of depression for 135 lay community members and 111 professional practitioners using a vignette. In Study 2, we assessed actual EMs among 33 clinically depressed adults. We transcribed all interviews and analyzed and coded the content. In Study 1, we used logistic regression to examine the relationship of problem conceptualization and stigma to treatment choice; in Study 2, we used Fisher's exact tests to examine the relationship between conceptualization and treatment. Sociodemographics such as age, income, and language were also examined. Interviews elicited a diverse range of beliefs about the nature of depression and the types of treatment needed. However, problem conceptualization did not predict treatment in either group. Instead, education and interview language predicted treatment in clinical and nonclinical samples. Although EMs can be useful for both exploring mental health and treatment-related beliefs in clinical settings and developing mental health services, contextual factors may be more significant predictors of help seeking.

Help-seeking intentions for early dementia diagnosis in a sample of Irish adults

ABSTRACTObjectives: To identify factors that may increase intentions to seek help for an early dementia diagnosis. Early dementia diagnosis in Ireland is low, reducing the opportunity for intervention, which can delay progression, reduce psychological distress and increase social supports.Method: Using the theory of planned behaviour (TPB), and a mixed methods approach, three focus groups were conducted (N = 22) to illicit attitudes and beliefs about help seeking for an early dementia diagnosis. The findings informed the development of the Help Seeking Intentions for Early Dementia Diagnosis (HSIEDD) questionnaire which was piloted and then administered to a sample of community dwelling adults from Dublin and Kildare (N = 95).Results: Content analysis revealed participants held knowledge of the symptoms of dementia but not about available interventions. Facilitators of help seeking were family, friends and peers alongside well informed health professionals. Barriers to seeking help were a lack of knowledge, fear, loss, stigma and inaccessible services. The quantitative findings suggest the TPB constructs account for almost 28% of the variance in intentions to seek help for an early diagnosis of dementia, after controlling for sociodemographic variables and knowledge of dementia. In the final step of the regression analysis, the main predictors of help seeking were knowledge of dementia and subjective norm, accounting for 6% and 8% of the variance, respectively.Conclusion: Future interventions should aim to increase awareness of the support available to those experiencing early memory problems, and should highlight the supportive role that family, friends, peers and health professionals could provide.

Investigating factors that influence students' help seeking in math homework: A multilevel analysis

The current investigation examined empirical models of help seeking in math homework. Individual- and class-level predictors of help seeking were analyzed in a survey of 796 8th graders from 46 classes. Multilevel results indicated that help seeking was positively associated with mastery orientation and homework interest at the individual and class level. At the individual level, help seeking was positively related to family help availability, homework interest, peer participation, performance orientation, monitoring motivation, value belief, and family help frequency. Our results suggest that mastery orientation exerts a powerful influence on students' help seeking in math homework. Our results further suggest that teachers can play a vital role in promoting help seeking, by placing greater emphasis on mastery goals, by making homework more interesting, by helping students learn to maintain homework motivation, and by encouraging families to make themselves available in the homework process.

Predictors of Help Seeking Among Korean American Women With Urinary Incontinence

The purpose of this study was to test an adapted theoretical model to predict help-seeking behavior (HSB) for urinary incontinence (UI) among Korean American women. A sample of 149 Korean American women with UI was recruited from local religious organizations in Arizona. This study uses a cross-sectional correlation descriptive design. Respondents completed 7 instruments: the HSB, Brief Acculturating Rating Scale of Korean American-II, family tradition and authority orientation, incontinence quiz, incontinence severity index, incontinence-specific quality of life (QOL), and social support tool. Respondents either completed questionnaires or they were administered face to face. Descriptive statistics, standardized Cronbach α coefficients, factor analysis, and hierarchical multiple regression were used to analyze data. Thirty-six percent of variance in HSB was explained by severity of UI, incontinence-specific QOL, and social support in the proposed theoretical framework. Health care support facilitates help seeking among Korean American women who have severe UI symptoms and low UI-specific QOL. Social support from friends, family, and available information facilitates help seeking in this group. WOC and continence nurses should take an active role to design intervention for Korean American women with UI emphasizing on social support from family and friends and available information in Korean.

Personal and contextual determinants of ethnically diverse female high school students’ patterns of academic help seeking and help avoidance in English and mathematics

This study investigated female high school students’ ( N = 293) patterns of help seeking in the domains of English and mathematics. Help seeking was operationalized using both self-report measures of need-contingent help seeking and help avoidance, as well as a behavioral measure of help seeking, namely the number of times students attended after-school tutoring sessions. As predictors of help seeking, the motivational variables of achievement goals, task-value, and expectancy for success were considered, alongside cognitive and metacognitive strategy-use, need for cognition, academic procrastination, and a belief in quick learning. Overall, the motivational variables of expectancy for success, task-value, and mastery goals and the cognitive variables of metacognitive self-regulation and rehearsal were found to significantly predict help seeking in English and math. No discernable effects of grade level or ethnicity on patterns of help seeking were detected. Several subject-level differences, however, were found, suggesting that students’ help-seeking patterns do vary by domain.

Antisocial Behavioral Syndromes in Adulthood and Alcohol Use Disorder Treatment over Three-Year Follow-Up: Results from Wave 2 of the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions.

Antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) is associated with poorer treatment outcomes, but more help seeking, for alcohol use disorders (AUDs); however, associations of ASPD with AUD treatment in the general population have not been studied prospectively. To examine prediction of treatment over 3-year follow-up among adults with AUDs by baseline ASPD and syndromal adult antisocial behavior without conduct disorder before age 15 (AABS). Face-to-face interviews with 34,653 respondents to the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions, of whom 3875 had prevalent AUDs between Waves 1 and 2 and ASPD, AABS, or no antisocial syndrome at Wave 1. In unadjusted analyses, baseline ASPD predicted AUD treatment but AABS did not. After adjustment for additional need, predisposing, and enabling factors, antisocial syndromes did not predict treatment. Baseline predictors of treatment included more past-year AUD symptoms, and past-year nicotine dependence and AUD treatment. That baseline antisocial syndrome did not predict AUD treatment may reflect strong associations of antisociality with previously identified predictors of help seeking.

Gender and self‐reported mental health problems: Predictors of help seeking from a general practitioner

Findings have shown that many people do not seek help when experiencing psychological distress. The main aim of this paper is to examine the socio-demographic and health status factors that predict help seeking for self-reported mental health problems for males and females from a general practitioner (GP). The analysis used data from the HRB National Psychological Wellbeing and Distress Survey - a telephone survey of the population aged 18 years and over. Telephone numbers were selected on a random probability basis. An initial set of random clusters was selected from the Geodirectory. Using these sampling areas, random digit dialling was used to generate a random telephone sample. Data were weighted on key variables. Respondents who reported mental health problems in the previous year were included in the current study (382/2,674). The findings showed gender differences in the models of predictors between males and females with more factors influencing attendance at the GP for males than for females. While only social limitations and access to free health care predicted female attendance, a range of socio-demographic and psychological factors influenced male attendance. Findings suggest that a 'gender sensitive approach' should be applied to mental health policies and mental health promotion and prevention programmes. Acknowledgement and awareness of the factors that influence help seeking will aid the design of gender specific promotion, prevention, and treatment programmes at primary care level.

Service Utilization and Help Seeking in a National Sample of Female Rape Victims

Many women with mental health problems do not seek help. Despite substantial research on predictors of help seeking, little is known about factors associated with help seeking in at-risk populations (for example, rape victims). This study examined various forms of help seeking for emotional problems in relation to key variables in a national sample of female rape victims. Telephone interviews were conducted with a representative sample of 3,001 women (aged 18 to 76 years). All interviews were conducted between January 23, 2006, and June 26, 2006. Those endorsing a lifetime history of rape were included in the analyses presented here (N=556). Demographic characteristics, rape history, rape characteristics, psychopathology, and substance abuse were assessed. Help seeking was assessed by asking whether participants ever sought help for emotional problems, and if so, what types of services were sought (services provided through a medical professional, religious figure, or mental health professional). Help seeking was endorsed by 60% of the sample. The final multivariable model showed that ever seeking help was associated with being white (OR=2.61), being married (OR=.42), and having posttraumatic stress disorder (OR=3.45). Specific forms of help seeking revealed unique predictor sets. Although lifetime history of help seeking among rape victims was high, 40% of respondents had never sought help for emotional problems. Odds of help seeking were generally increased by the presence of a mental disorder. The findings suggest that some respondents may have sought help from general medical professionals or religious figures for emotional problems related to being raped. Education and training regarding rape and associated disorders should be available to other professionals to support provision of care. Public policy should be strengthened regarding professionals' service provision and should include reimbursement for mental health services so victims do not have to pay for services.

Service Utilization and Help Seeking in a National Sample of Female Rape Victims

Many women with mental health problems do not seek help. Despite substantial research on predictors of help seeking, little is known about factors associated with help seeking in at-risk populations (for example, rape victims). This study examined various forms of help seeking for emotional problems in relation to key variables in a national sample of female rape victims. Telephone interviews were conducted with a representative sample of 3,001 women (aged 18 to 76 years). All interviews were conducted between January 23, 2006, and June 26, 2006. Those endorsing a lifetime history of rape were included in the analyses presented here (N=556). Demographic characteristics, rape history, rape characteristics, psychopathology, and substance abuse were assessed. Help seeking was assessed by asking whether participants ever sought help for emotional problems, and if so, what types of services were sought (services provided through a medical professional, religious figure, or mental health professional). Help seeking was endorsed by 60% of the sample. The final multivariable model showed that ever seeking help was associated with being white (OR=2.61), being married (OR=.42), and having posttraumatic stress disorder (OR=3.45). Specific forms of help seeking revealed unique predictor sets. Although lifetime history of help seeking among rape victims was high, 40% of respondents had never sought help for emotional problems. Odds of help seeking were generally increased by the presence of a mental disorder. The findings suggest that some respondents may have sought help from general medical professionals or religious figures for emotional problems related to being raped. Education and training regarding rape and associated disorders should be available to other professionals to support provision of care. Public policy should be strengthened regarding professionals' service provision and should include reimbursement for mental health services so victims do not have to pay for services.

Socio‐demographic, psychosocial and attitudinal predictors of help seeking after cancer diagnosis

The objective is to describe cancer patients' patterns of use of psychosocial support services and identify socio-demographic, psychosocial, and attitudinal predictors of service utilization. A cross-sectional survey of 439 cancer patients (61.2% response) at a regional tertiary cancer center assessed patterns of support service utilization, cancer-specific distress, social support and constraints, and attitudes to help seeking. Patients less frequently received advice about psychosocial support in comparison with treatment-related information. More than half the respondents were aware of social work support, support groups, and chaplain support; however, most did not utilize these services. For unaware patients, up to 47% would have utilized support services if they had known of their existence. The use of services was significantly related to being female, younger, and having greater cancer-specific distress, more positive and less negative attitudes to help seeking. Future intention to contact a health professional for psychological support was predicted by more positive subjective norms and outcome expectations, higher cancer-specific distress, and less negative attitudes to help seeking. Initiatives that encourage distressed patients to use psychosocial care services should highlight positive outcomes. Educational programs for health professionals to support psychosocial care in oncology are needed.

Health Beliefs and Help Seeking for Depressive and Anxiety Disorders Among Urban Singaporean Adults

Health Beliefs and Help Seeking for Depressive and Anxiety Disorders Among Urban Singaporean Adults

Predictors of help seeking among Connecticut adults after September 11, 2001.

We conducted a population-based telephone survey in an attempt to determine correlates of formal and informal help seeking after September 11, 2001. Between October 15 and December 31, 2001, 1774 Connecticut Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System respondents were asked questions directly related to their experiences of September 11. Multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that receipt of formal help was predicted by sleep problems, close association with a victim, reports of increased smoking or drinking, and receipt of informal help. Age, gender, reports of 1 or more problems, and formal help seeking predicted receipt of informal help. Public health planning and bioterrorism preparedness should include programs addressing increased smoking and drinking, sleep problems, and bereavement in the wake of disasters.

Predictors of help seeking for emotional distress among Chinese Americans: Family matters.

Using data from the Chinese American Psychiatric Epidemiological Study, the authors examined longitudinal predictors of help seeking for emotional distress in a community sample of 1,503 Chinese Americans. Specifically, they assessed the relative contribution of family relational variables (e.g., levels of family support and family conflict) in predicting help seeking for medical, mental health, and informal services. After traditional need, predisposing, and enabling factors were controlled for in hierarchical logistic regression analyses, family conflict predicted both mental health and medical service use, whereas family support was not predictive of help seeking. In addition to family conflict, mental health service use was predicted by negative life events, emotional distress, and insurance coverage. Implications of the findings for assessing and treating Asian American clients are explored.

Predictors of help seeking for emotional distress among Chinese Americans: Family matters.

Predictors of help seeking for emotional distress among Chinese Americans: Family matters.