Professional Psychological Help Research Articles

The stigma towards seeking help among university students: a cross-sectional study in Jordan

BackgroundMental disorders affect one in two people globally, with COVID-19 exacerbating anxiety and depression. Stigma, a major hindrance to seeking mental health services, manifests as public, perceived, and self-stigma. Cultural misconceptions contribute to public stigma. Studies show high stigmatization among university students, impacting help-seeking behavior. Arab populations exhibit varied attitudes influenced by religious beliefs. The research aims to bridge gaps in understanding stigma among university students in Jordan, focusing on the impact of post post-COVID-19 era on mental health perceptions. The study hypothesizes differences in attitudes and stigma between medical and non-medical students, investigating these aspects in Jordan.MethodsA cross-sectional study assessed attitudes and stigma related to seeking help among 1,151 university students in Jordan from June 20th to July 20th, 2023. The sample included diverse participants from Jordanian universities. Data were collected through an online survey covering sociodemographic details, psychological background, and attitudes using the Attitudes Toward Seeking Professional Psychological Help Scale (ATSPPH). Ethical considerations included approval from the University of Jordan Institutional Review Board and informed consent from participants.ResultsThe survey included 1151 participants. The overall mean age was 20.34 years. Among the participants, 761 (66.1%) were medical students, while 390 (33.9%) were non-medical students. The overall mean ATSPPHS score was 16.30. Medical students exhibited a significantly more positive attitude (73.3%) compared to non-medical students (26.7%). Being a medical student was associated with higher odds of having a positive attitude while being male was found to be a negative predictor.ConclusionFindings revealed that being a medical student and having prior mental health education were linked to more favorable attitudes, whereas male students tended to hold more negative views. Incorporating mental health education into non-medical curricula could be beneficial in diminishing stigma and fostering positive attitudes toward seeking help.

Gender differences in attitudes towards psychological help-seeking among chinese medical students: a comparative analysis

BackgroundMedical students are known to be at a greater risk of psychological disorders compared to the general population. However, their rate of help-seeking behavior is low. The purpose of this study was to explore the influencing factors of attitudes towards psychological help-seeking among Chinese medical students and to examine its gender differences.MethodsA total of 3,453 medical students from three medical colleges in Hainan Province, China, completed anonymous questionnaires that included socio-demographic attributes, the Family APGAR Index, the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-20), and the Attitudes Towards Seeking Professional Psychological Help Short Form (ATSPPH-SF). Associations between predictor variables and attitudes towards help-seeking were explored using multivariate linear regression, and regression models with interaction terms were employed to test gender difference.ResultsThe mean score on ATSPPH-SF Scale was 15.04 ± 3.45, with males scoring significantly lower than females (14.34 vs. 15.64, P < 0.0001). For both male and female groups, psych knowledge, mental health status, family function and help-seeking utility perception significantly influenced attitudes toward psychological help-seeking. Furthermore, having more than once psycho-help experiences was positively correlated with women’s attitudes. Significant interactions were found between gender and mental health status.ConclusionAttitude towards seeking psychological help was relatively negative among Chinese medical students. The implementation of interventions should take into account the at-risk population, especially the males and individuals with poor mental health.

Breaking Barriers: Unraveling the Connection between Mental Health Literacy, Attitudes towards Mental Illness, and Self-Stigma of Psychological Help-Seeking in University Students

Despite the high prevalence of mental health difficulties during the period of emerging adulthood and the availability of mental health resources, young adults are reluctant to seek professional psychological help. A significant contributor to this treatment gap is the inadequate levels of mental health literacy (MHL). The present study aimed to investigate the association between MHL with attitudes toward mental illness and the self-stigma of seeking psychological treatment among university students. The sample consisted of 485 university students (24.5% males, 75.5% females) with a mean age of 19.54 years (SD = 1.45) drawn from a regional university in Greece. MHL, attitudes towards severe mental illness, and self-stigma of help-seeking were assessed using the Mental Health Literacy Scale (MHLS), the Attitudes towards Severe Mental Illness (ASMI), and the Self-Stigma of Seeking Help Scale (SSOSH), respectively. MHLS was positively correlated with three out of four subscales of ASMI, namely stereotyping, optimism, and coping, and negatively related to SSOSH. Multivariate linear regression analysis adjusting for various confounders showed that students with higher MHL were more likely to report non-stigmatizing attitudes towards mental illness and lower self-stigma of help-seeking from mental health professionals. According to our findings, higher MHL was related to more positive views regarding mental illness and lower self-stigma of help-seeking. To lessen the self-stigma of seeking professional help, MHL must be addressed as an important component of psychoeducational interventions at universities aiming to support students’ help-seeking intentions and practices.

Stigma and its influencing factors for seeking professional psychological help among pregnant women: A cross-sectional study

Although the stigma associated with seeking professional psychological help has received significant attention, few studies have focused on the status and factors influencing this stigma among pregnant women, especially those with a Chinese cultural background. This study aimed to assess the status of stigma associated with seeking professional psychological help and its influencing factors. A total of 1325 pregnant women were recruited from Hunan Province, China. The Stigma for Seeking Professional Psychological Help questionnaire, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Perceived Social Support Scale, Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire, and questionnaires on sociodemographic characteristics and pregnancy-related information were used. Descriptive, univariate, correlation, and multivariate linear regression analyses were used to investigate the status of stigma and identify its influencing factors. Pregnant Chinese women experienced a mild to moderate level of stigma associated with seeking professional psychological help, and self-stigma was more common than social stigma associated with seeking psychological help. The results of the multivariate analysis suggested that perceived social support, positive coping styles, negative coping styles, and depressive symptoms were the factors influencing self-stigma and social stigma associated with seeking professional psychological help. Advanced age and a low educational level were the only predictors associated with self-stigma, while a history of multiple pregnancies had an effect only on social stigma associated with seeking professional psychological help. Chinese pregnant women experienced a mild to moderate level of stigma associated with seeking professional psychological help. Destigmatizing interventions focusing on self-stigma and social stigma should be designed according to maternal characteristics, social support, coping style, and depressive symptoms.

Mental Health Literacy and Attitude Toward Seeking Professional Psychological Help Among Iranian Older Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study

Mental Health Literacy and Attitude Toward Seeking Professional Psychological Help Among Iranian Older Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study

Attitudes towards seeking psychological help among community dwelling older adults enrolled in primary care in Chile

BackgroundDepression and anxiety are common mental disorders among older adults, but they are frequently underdiagnosed. Attitudes towards seeking professional mental health care is one of the barriers to access to treatment. This study was aimed at assessing the attitudes towards seeking psychological help among older adults who are enrolled in primary care in Chile, and to determine the associated factors.MethodsThis cross-sectional study recruited 233 primary care users aged 65 or more years. The Attitudes Towards Seeking Professional Psychological Help was used. Reliability and factor analysis of this scale were carried out. The average scores of the scale and factors were calculated and compared, by selected variables. Multivariate linear regression was estimated to determine factors associated with attitudes towards seeking psychological help.ResultsThree factors were identified in the attitudes towards seeking psychological help: confidence in psychologists, coping alone with emotional problems, and predisposition to seek psychological help. On average, participants had a favorable attitude towards seeking psychological help, compared with previous research. Lower level of education, and risk of social isolation were inversely associated with these attitudes.ConclusionStrategies to improve mental health literacy and social connection among older adults, could have an impact on factors that mediate the access to mental health care, such as attitudes towards seeking psychological help, among people who have a lower level of education or are at risk of social isolation.

Psychological Distress and Attitudes Toward Seeking Professional Psychological Help among Transwomen in Indonesia

Transwomen are one of the minority groups in Indonesia vulnerable to a high level of psychological distress. The level of psychological distress can indicate the need to seek psychological help. The most basic component of seeking help is attitude. Without a positive attitude, individuals are less likely to have the intention of seeking help and do seeking help. This study aimed to investigate the level of psychological distress, attitudes toward seeking professional psychological help, and the relationship between symptoms of psychological distress with attitudes toward seeking professional psychological help in 117 samples of transwomen in Indonesia. Results indicated that 72% of participants were classified as having a high level of psychological distress. A negative association between anxiety symptoms and psychological openness indicated that the more symptoms of anxiety that participants were experiencing, the less likely they were to open up about their psychological problems.

Visitor characteristics and changes in mental health stigma after attending the Mind Space mental health experience exhibition.

Mind Space is an experiential mental health exhibition in Hong Kong, aiming to raise public awareness and provide education regarding mental health. This prepost study aimed to 1) examine the relationships between visitors' characteristics and their mental health stigma at baseline, and 2) provide a preliminary evaluation of the effectiveness of Mind Space in reducing stigma and promoting help-seeking attitudes toward mental health conditions. We analyzed data from all consenting visitors who attended Mind Space between September 2019 and December 2021. Visitors' attitudes toward mental health conditions and their willingness to seek professional psychological help were measured through online questionnaires before and after visits. Multiple linear regression was used to identify the demographic predictors of outcome variables at baseline. Changes in outcome variables after attending Mind Space were assessed using paired sample t-tests. A total of 382 visitors completed the baseline questionnaires, among which 146 also completed the post-test. At baseline, higher socioeconomic levels and personal contact with people with mental health conditions predicted more positive attitudes and understanding toward mental disorders. Tentatively, the results also showed that after attending Mind Space, a significant reduction in negative attitudes about mental illness (t=4.36, p=<.001; d=.361) and improvements in the propensity to seek professional help (t=-5.20, p<.001; d=-.430) were observed, along with decreases in negative attitudes toward stereotypes (t=4.71, p=<.001; d=.421) and restrictions (t=2.29, p=.024; d=.205) among healthcare professionals. Our findings highlight the need for mental health education for people with lower socioeconomic status and the importance of direct contact in public mental health education initiatives. The present study also suggests that Mind Space may be a useful model for public mental health education, but the exhibition requires further evaluation to ascertain if any reductions in stigma are maintained over time.

Mental health stigma and internship nursing students’ attitudes toward seeking professional psychological help: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundSelf-stigma and negative attitudes toward mental illness have been identified as significant barriers that hinder individuals from seeking psychological assistance, leading to adverse consequences in their lives.AimThis study aimed to assess mental health stigma and internship nursing students’ attitudes toward seeking professional help.MethodsA cross-sectional design was conducted in the current study including a purposive sample of 228 participants of internship nursing students using a Socio-demographic data sheet, Self-Stigma of Seeking Help scale (SSOSH), and Attitude toward seeking professional psychological help scale (ATSPPH). The data acquisition period spanned from August to November 2022.ResultsThis study revealed significant insights into the attitudes of internship nursing students toward seeking professional psychological help. Gender emerged as a notable factor, with males exhibiting higher levels of self-stigma compared to females (mean = 2.872). Attitudes towards seeking professional help varied significantly based on age, gender, residence, and marital status. Specifically, participants aged 23 years, females, rural residents, and married individuals demonstrated the highest Mean scores reflecting attitudes that lean more positively towards seeking help. Furthermore, a significant negative correlation (r = -0.372, p < 0.01) was observed between self-stigma and attitudes toward seeking professional help.ConclusionThis study concluded that more than three-fifths of internship nursing students hadn’t stigma towards seeking professional psychological help while the vast majority had a positive attitude towards seeking professional psychological help. However, the majority of students reported that financial barriers, specifically the high cost of therapy, prevent them from seeking psychological help. This highlights the need for more affordable mental health services for this population.

The Relationship between Academic Performance, Peer Pressure, and Educational Stress as It Relates to High School Students’ Openness to Seeking Professional Psychological Help

Adolescents, especially high school students, are more susceptible to stress and encounter other mental health issues. This is linked to extrinsic causes like academics, family, and friends. However, previous studies have shown low rates of students seeking professional psychological help for their problems. This study investigate the relationship among factors including academic performance, educational stress, peer pressure and openness to seeking professional psychological help. We conducted this study with 471 high school students (grades 10–12) engaged. The questionnaire was based on three measurements: peer pressure short form (PPSF), educational stress scale for adolescents (ESSA), and openness to seeking professional psychological help (ATSPPH_O). The Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal-Wallis test and The PLS-SEM method were used to evaluate this research. The results showed that: (i) students with a higher level of peer pressure have a greater openness to seeking professional psychological help; (ii) the more open to seeking professional psychological help, the higher educational stress that students got; (iii) students with a higher level of peer pressure have greater educational stress; (iv) the openness to seeking professional psychological help would mediate the relationship between peer pressure and educational stress; (v) there was a significant difference between academic performance of peer pressure. On the one hand, counselors, clinicians, and therapists must identify students who are experiencing educational stress in the context of peer pressure as vulnerable groups in need of early mental health interventions. On the other hand, educators and teachers must consider the impact of peer pressure on students' academic performance and devise appropriate teaching strategies.

Psychometric assessment of the Persian adaptation of the attitudes toward seeking professional psychological help scale-short form

Background and purposeMental health disorders are a growing concern worldwide, with a significant impact on public health. Understanding attitudes toward seeking professional psychological help is essential in addressing these issues. In the Iranian context, there is a need for a reliable tool to measure these attitudes. This study aims to assess the validity and reliability of the Persian Adaptation of the Attitudes Toward Seeking Professional Psychological Help Scale-Short Form (ATSPPH-SF).Materials and methodsA cross-sectional study was conducted in May 2023, utilizing a convenience sampling method with 1050 participants aged 10 to 65 years in Iran.The ATSPPH-SF questionnaire, consisting of 10 items and 2 subscales, was employed. The questionnaire underwent translation and cultural adaptation, and its validity was assessed through qualitative face and content validities. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to evaluate construct validity. Reliability was assessed using McDonald’s omega coefficient and Cronbach’s alpha coefficient. Data collection was conducted through an online survey.ResultsThe CFA results indicated a two-factor structure for the ATSPPH-SF, with one factor representing openness to seeking treatment for emotional problems and the other factor reflecting the value and need for seeking treatment. The model demonstrated acceptable fit indices. Both McDonald’s omega coefficient and Cronbach’s alpha coefficient suggested good internal consistency for the scale. The mean total score for the ATSPPH-SF was 21.37 (SD = 5.52), indicating the reliability and validity of the scale for the Iranian population.ConclusionThis study confirms the suitability of the short-form ATSPPH-SF with 10 items and 2 subscales as a valid and reliable tool for assessing attitudes toward seeking professional psychological help in the Iranian population. With no prior appropriate instrument available, this scale fills a crucial gap. It can be employed to measure attitudes among various demographic groups, aiding in the design of targeted interventions to enhance mental health literacy and reduce the stigma associated with seeking professional psychological help in Iran.

European military surgical teams in combat theater: A survey study on deployment preparation and experience

IntroductionAdequate (predeployment) training of the nowadays highly specialized Western military surgical teams is vital to ensure a broad range of surgical skills to treat combat casualties. This survey study aimed to assess the self-perceived preparedness, training needs, deployment experience, and post-deployment impact of surgical teams deployed with the Danish, Dutch, or Finnish Armed Forces. Study findings may facilitate a customized predeployment training. MethodsA questionnaire was distributed among Danish, Dutch, and Finnish military surgical teams deployed between January 2013 and December 2020 (N = 142). The primary endpoint of self-perceived preparedness ratings, and data on the training needs, deployment experiences, and post-deployment impacts were compared between professions and nations. ResultsThe respondents comprised 35 surgeons, 25 anesthesiologists, and 39 supporting staff members, with a response rate of 69.7 % (99/142). Self-perceived deployment preparedness was rated with a median of 4.0 (IQR 4.0–4.0; scale: 1 [very unprepared]–5 [more than sufficient]). No differences were found among professions and nations. Skills that surgeons rated below average (median <6.0; scale: 1 [low]–10 [high]) included tropical disease management and maxillofacial, neurological, gynecological, ophthalmic, and nerve repair surgery. The deployment caseload was most often reported as <1 case per week (41/99, 41.4 %). The need for professional psychological help was rated at a median of 1.0 (IQR 1.0–1.0; scale: 1 [not at all]–5 [very much]). ConclusionsMilitary surgical teams report overall adequate preparedness for deployment. Challenges remain for establishing broadly skilled teams because of a low deployment caseload and ongoing primary specializations. Additional training and exposure were indicated for several specialism-specific skill areas. The need for specific training should be addressed through customized predeployment programs.

Psychological Wellbeing, Help Seeking Behaviour on Coping Amongst Professional Psychologists

The study explored and examined effect of help seeking behaviours on psychological wellbeing, and ways of coping among Professional Psychologists in Accra, Ghana using a case study research design. A total of 116 respondents were selected using purposive sampling. Data was collected using standardized Likert type questionnaires which comprised the WHO Well-Being Index (WHO-5; 1998 version), Africultural Coping Systems Inventory (ACSI) (Utsey, Adams, &amp; Bolden 2000), and the Attitudes Towards Seeking Professional Psychological Help Scale (ATSPPHS) (Fischer &amp; Farina, 1995). Data was analyzed using Descriptive statistics, Reliability and Normality tests, Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient test, Simple Linear Regression Analysis, and Multivariate Analysis of Variance test. Results revealed that a significant positive correlation exists between help seeking behaviour and psychological wellbeing. Secondly, Coping style (i.e., cognitive and emotional debriefing, and ritual centered coping) significantly predicts help seeking behaviours. Meanwhile, only cognitive and emotional debriefing coping style predicts psychological wellbeing.

Investigation on the Attitude of Middle School Students with Depression in the City Toward Professional Psychological Help-Seeking.

Many middle school students are depressed due to pressure from family, study, life, and communication. With the increasing depression of middle school students, professional psychological counseling institutions have also become more numerous. Therefore, students need to be guided to correctly recognize difficulties and seek professional psychological assistance. We aimed to investigate the depression status of middle school students in the city and analyze their attitude towards professional psychological help-seeking. A total of 2485 students from two classes of each grade from six middle schools in the city were randomly selected as the research objects. They were subjected to answer the general questionnaire and professional psychological help-seeking attitude questionnaire to analyze their depression status, psychological help-seeking status, and attitude towards professional psychological help-seeking. 2485 questionnaires were distributed, and 2205 valid questionnaires were returned. A total of 791 (35.9%) of students had depressive symptoms. The detection rate and depression scores in girls were significantly higher than in boys, and the detection rate in junior high school students in the city was notably higher than in high school students and students from rural areas (P<0.05). Only 31 (3.9%) middle school students with depressive symptoms have sought professional psychological help. The scores of self-cognition, stigma tolerance, interpersonal openness, and trust scores of middle school students with depressive symptoms in help-seeking attitude were significantly lower than those of normal students, while self-stigma scores were significantly higher in those with depressive symptoms (P<0.001). Middle school students in the city with depression have a poor attitude towards professional psychological help-seeking. Educators should positively and correctly guide depressed middle school students to seek professional psychological assistance when they need help.

Dehumanization, attitudes toward seeking professional psychological care, and mental health among African American women.

Self-infrahumanization or perceiving oneself as lacking the experience of uniquely human emotions, and endorsement of Strong Black Woman (SBW) schema, or self-superhumanization, are two forms of dehumanization. Among African American women, SBW schema endorsement is associated with greater negative attitudes toward seeking professional psychological help (ATSPPH) and poorer mental health. Self-infrahumanization is associated with fewer adaptive stress responses and poorer well-being. This research examines the relationship between self-infrahumanization and self-superhumanization on ATSPPH and mental health among African American women. We hypothesized that self-infrahumanization and self-superhumanization will be associated with greater negative ATSPPH and greater mental health symptomatology. We also hypothesized that ATSPPH will mediate the interactive effect of self-infrahumanization and SBW schema endorsement on mental health symptomatology. Four hundred and forty-nine self-identified African American women (Mage = 37.96; SDage = 15.55; age range: 18-87) completed an online, self-administered Qualtrics survey investigating the social and psychological determinants of health. Self-infrahumanization was not associated with mental health symptomatology. Greater SBW schema endorsement was associated with greater mental health symptomatology. Self-infrahumanization and SBW schema endorsement were not associated with ATSPPH. ATSPPH mediated the interaction between SBW and self-infrahumanization on mental health symptomatology. At high and average-but not low-levels of SBW schema endorsement, greater self-infrahumanization was associated with lower positive ATSPPH, which was then associated with greater mental health symptomatology. Among African American women, believing that one lacks the experience of uniquely human emotions exacerbates the negative effects of endorsing SBW schema. We discuss the role of dehumanization processes in health disparities research. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

The Mediating Role of Self-Stigma in Perceived Public Stigma and Attitudes Toward Mental Health Help-Seeking Among Adults in Malaysia

Mental health stigma is one of the major barriers to mental health help-seeking and care. Public stigma gives rise to self-stigma (SS), and both stigma results in negative attitudes toward mental health help-seeking (ATMHHS). Subsequently, ATMHHS is further associated with future help-seeking behaviour. This research aims to study the mediating effect of SS on the relationship between perceived public stigma (PPS) and ATMHHS among Malaysian adults. The significance is to encourage mental health awareness related to mental health stigma as well as to contribute to literature on mental health stigma. This study was a cross-sectional, correlational, and quantitative study, in which data was collected using online survey. 136 participants were selected as a sample of Malaysian adults aged 18-64 years old. Data was collected using Self-Stigma of Seeking Help Scale, Stigma Scale for Receiving Psychological Help, and Attitudes toward Seeking Professional Psychological Help Scale: Short Form. The results from Hayes PROCESS macro showed that SS was a significant predictor for ATMHHS, while PPS was not a significant predictor of ATMHHS, and SS fully mediated the relationship between PPS and ATMHHS. This study has shown that PPS indirectly brings negative impact on ATMHHS, while SS predicts negative ATMHHS, hence it is recommended that more research be conducted on mental health stigma related areas in order to raise awareness in Malaysian society.

Psychometric Parameters of the Turkish version of the Reactions to Psychotherapy Questionnaire

This study aims to investigate the validity and reliability of the “Reactions to Psychotherapy Questionnaire” (RPQ) by Furnham and Lay (2016) in Turkish culture. A total of 328 adults (248 females and 80 males) participated in the study. The structural validity of the scale was tested with confirmatory factor analysis. The correlations between “The Attitudes Toward Seeking Professional Psychological Help Scale” (ATSPPH-SF) and “The Thoughts About Psychotherapy Scale” (TAPS) were examined to test the convergent validity. The reliability of the scale was calculated with the internal consistency method and the test-retest method. Similar to the original scale outcomes, the results of the confirmatory factor analysis demonstrated that there is “a form of two-factor structure”, namely, the positive and negative reactions. It has been found that while the positive reactions subscale of RPQ was positively correlated with the Attitudes Toward Seeking Professional Psychological Help Scale (ATSPPH-SF) and negatively correlated with the subscales of Thoughts About Psychotherapy Scale (TAPS), negative reactions subscale was negatively correlated with the Attitudes Toward Seeking Professional Psychological Help Scale (ATSPPH-SF) and positively correlated with Thoughts About Psychotherapy Scale (TAPS) subscales. The internal consistency coefficient for the positive reactions subscale was found to be .88, while test-retest reliability coefficient was .75, positive reactions subscale internal consistency coefficient was .81 and test-retest reliability coefficient was .77. It is found that “Reactions to Psychotherapy Questionnaire” (RPQ) is a valid and reliable assessment in Türkiye.

ETHICAL PRINCIPLES OF CONDUCTING THE PSYCHO-CORRECTIONAL PROCESS AS AN EXAMPLE OF THE ANALYSIS OF THE ETHICAL CODES OF UKRAINE AND CANADA

In Ukraine, the practice of providing psychological and coaching services in social networks has become widespread and these services occurred and continue to occur with violations of the rules of ethics of psychological counseling. In fact, in the current conditions when many different counseling services are available, the line between professional psychological help and “personal growth schools” is blurring. Those schools do not so much help as harm a person, without solving his/her problem at a deep level. Therefore, the goal of our research is to actualize the need to modernize the practice of applying ethical norms by Ukrainian psychologists and improve it by borrowing international experience from the world psychological community and comparing ethical approaches in Canada and Ukraine. The research presents the author’s practical experience of working with clients (taking into account all confidentiality rules). During the research, a mini-survey was conducted on social networks, which shows a certain trend that the ethical principles of psychologists’ work aren’t a high priority for their clients. It becomes obvious, that such low demand from society for ethical norms creates a corresponding supply of services that neglect generally accepted rules of professional activity. By analyzing some aspects of the Canadian and Ukrainian Ethical Codes, the author considers it necessary to draw attention to the need for quick and decisive actions to change the general paradigm in the services of Ukrainian psychologists with an emphasis on strengthening the ethical component and increasing the responsibility for violations of rules recognized by state institutions and public associations.

The Correlation Between Parenting Styles and Chinese College Students' Attitudes Toward Seeking Professional Psychological Help

Prior studies have demonstrated that authoritarian parenting styles significantly influence attitudes toward seeking professional psychological help (ATSPPH). However, they did not investigate the effects of parenting styles' particular factors. This study surveys 152 Chinese university students to investigate the correlation between parenting styles and ATSPPH. This study correlates three parenting style factors, overprotective, emotional warmth, and rejection, with four factors, confidence, stigma tolerance, need, and openness, in ATSPPH. The results show a substantial negative correlation between ATSPPH and parental overprotection; overprotection is strongly negatively correlated with confidence in psychological experts, and overprotection is correlated negatively with openness. A considerable positive link exists between parental emotional warmth and ATSPPH, as well as between emotional warmth and confidence and between emotional warmth and openness. Parental rejection had a substantial inverse relationship with ATSPPH, a significant positive relationship with stigma tolerance, a significant inverse correlation with confidence, and a significant inverse correlation with openness. Regression analyses further indicate that parental rejection significantly predicted children's tolerance and openness to seeking professional psychological help.

Effects of Parental Psychological Control on Attitudes Toward Seeking Professional Psychological Help in Senior High School Students: Serial Mediating Effects of Rejection Sensitivity and Social Withdrawal.

The purpose of the current study was to examine the serial mediating effects of rejection sensitivity and social withdrawal on parental psychological control and attitudes toward seeking professional psychological help among senior high school students. In November 2022, 648 students completed a self-report questionnaire. The parental psychological control scale, senior high school students' rejection sensitivity scale, social withdrawal scale, and attitudes toward seeking professional psychological help scale were used for measurement. Correlation analysis showed parental psychological control and rejection sensitivity were positively correlated with social withdrawal (r = 0.387, 0.466, 0.495, all p < 0.001). Parental psychological control and rejection sensitivity were significantly negatively correlated with social withdrawal and attitudes toward seeking professional psychological help (r = -0.325, -0.324, -0.397, all p < 0.001). Mediating effect analysis indicated that parental psychological control had a significant direct effect on attitude toward seeking professional psychological help, and rejection sensitivity and social withdrawal had significant serial mediating effects among parental psychological control and attitudes toward seeking professional psychological help in senior high school students. These aspects warrant attention as they play significant roles in influencing students' willingness to seek psychological assistance. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, xx(xx), xx-xx.].