Psychological Help-seeking Attitudes Research Articles

ASSESSING THE PSYCHOLOGICAL HELP-SEEKING ATTITUDES AMONG MALAYSIAN AND INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

ABSTRACT Mental health issues have become prevalent among youth, particularly among university students. However, the utilization of psychological services remains low. Despite the mismatch, limited studies explored the psychological help-seeking attitudes and their barriers in a cross-cultural context. This study aimed to examine the differences of in terms of gender, openness, value and need in seeking professional help among Malaysian and International university students. The findings of this study will aid in the implementation of better policies to ensure the wellbeing of both Malaysian and International university students. The data was collected in May 2022 using a cross-sectional survey questionnaire distributed at one of the public universities in Malaysia (n=54). The results revealed that the psychological help-seeking attitudes among International students and Malaysian are similar and low, albeit the insignificance. However, males and females are found to have a significantly small difference in the value and need in seeking professional help. Broadly, the results of this work inform that psychological help-seeking attitudes are most likely the same for both Malaysian and International students. Therefore, it is crucial for researchers to explore the current factors that hinder students from perceiving psychological help as a need. Keywords: Mental Health, Help-seeking attitudes, Cross-Cultural, University Students, Undergraduate Students

Understanding Psychological Help-Seeking: The Role of Perceived LGBTQ+ Community Support

ABSTRACT In this cross-sectional study, we examined the relations between perceived LGBTQ+ community support for psychotherapy and both willingness to seek counseling and use of mental health services in the past year among 721 sexual minority persons. At the bivariate level, we found that LGBTQ+ community support for psychotherapy was positively correlated with both willingness to seek counseling and use of mental health services in the past year. Further, LGBTQ+ community support for psychotherapy was directly and indirectly related to willingness to seek counseling via less public stigma, less self-stigma, and more positive attitudes toward help-seeking in serial. LGBTQ+ community support for psychotherapy was indirectly related to use of mental health services in the past year via these same explanatory variables. Finally, we provide psychometric support for the LGBTQ+ Community Support for Psychotherapy Scale that we developed for this study. Our findings indicate the important role that contextual factors can have on psychological help-seeking attitudes, intentions, and behaviors for sexual minority persons.

Variables Predicting Psychological Help Seeking Attitudes: Self-Stigma, Mental Health Literacy, and Depression/Anxiety

Introduction Psychological help-seeking attitudes are influenced by various factors, including self-stigma, mental health literacy, and levels of depression and anxiety. Several studies have examined the relationships between these variables and help-seeking attitudes, shedding light on the predictors of seeking psychological help. Self-stigma, or the internalization of negative attitudes towards seeking psychological help, has been found to significantly impact help-seeking attitudes. Individuals who experience higher levels of self-stigma are more likely to hold negative attitudes towards seeking help. Additionally, mental health literacy, which refers to knowledge and understanding of mental health issues, has been identified as another important predictor of help-seeking attitudes. Individuals with higher mental health literacy are more likely to have positive attitudes towards seeking psychological help. Depression and anxiety, two common mental health concerns, have also been found to influence help-seeking attitudes. Research has shown that individuals with higher levels of depression and anxiety symptoms are more likely to express intentions to seek counseling for psychological and interpersonal concerns. These mental health concerns can serve as motivators for individuals to seek professional help. Furthermore, cultural and demographic factors can also play a role in shaping help-seeking attitudes.ObjectivesThis study was planned to examine the variables predicting psychological help seeking attitudes: self-stigma, mental health literacy, and depression/anxietyMethodsThe sample of the study was determined by purposive sampling method. The study was conducted with individuals who willing to participate the study and above 18 years age.Individuals who saw the online advertisement and click on the study’s link were be brought to the study’s home page on Online Surveys. Should they wish to proceed, they will be brought to an information page detailing the purpose of the study, how their confidentiality and anonymity will be preserved and how their data will be treated.Socio-Demographic Data Form, Mental Health Literacy Scale, Self-Stigma of Seeking Psychological Help Scale and Attitudes Towards Seeking Psychological Help Scale were used. Data analyses was planned to run via Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version, 27.0.ResultsThe analysis of the data is still ongoing in detail by the researchers. The findings and relational implications of the study will be presented.ConclusionsIn conclusion, self-stigma, mental health literacy, and levels of depression and anxiety are important variables that predict psychological help-seeking attitudes. Understanding these factors can inform the development of interventions and strategies to promote help-seeking behaviors and reduce barriers to seeking psychological help.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

Gender differences in psychological help-seeking attitudes: a case in Türkiye.

Mental disorders pose a substantial public health challenge within the overall disease burden. This study aims to determine the factors associated with seeking psychological help among individuals experiencing depression according to gender differences in Türkiye. The study utilized microdata from Türkiye Health Survey conducted by the Turkish Statistical Institute in 2016, 2019, and 2022. Binary logistic regression analysis was employed to determine the factors associated with seeking psychological help. The study's findings reveal that variables such as survey year, age, education level, employment status, general health status, disease status, depression status, day service status in the hospital, daily activity status, tobacco use status, and alcohol use status are associated with the status of receiving psychological help. Gender-specific analysis indicated variations in the significance and impact of these variables among individuals seeking psychological help. In the development of preventive strategies for mental health protection, special attention should be given to factors associated with the psychological help-seeking behavior of both women and men. Prioritizing and addressing these factors will contribute to more effective mental health interventions.

The predictive role of dyadic adjustment and perceived social support in explaining psychological help-seeking attitudes of married individuals

ABSTRACT The main purpose of this study was to determine the predictive role of dyadic adjustment and perceived social support in explaining psychological help-seeking attitudes of married individuals. A total of 320 married individuals participated in the study. According to the results, the adjustment on the origin family relationships sub-dimension of dyadic adjustment had a negative effect, while the perceived family support sub-dimension of perceived social support had a positive effect on the attitudes of married individuals towards psychological help-seeking. Thus, the results suggested that married individuals who have low dyadic adjustment on the origin family relationships, combined with high perceived family support have positive attitudes towards psychological help-seeking; whereas married individuals who have high dyadic adjustment on the origin family relationships, combined with low perceived family support have negative psychological help-seeking attitudes. Findings are discussed regarding relevant literature and suggestions for future academic studies and practice are presented.

Relationship between mental health literacy and professional psychological help-seeking attitudes in China: a chain mediation model

BackgroundMental health literacy is considered an important factor in promoting professional psychological help-seeking attitudes. However, it is important to clarify the emotional and behavioral factors that underlie this association. Drawing from the ABC model of attitudes and the Health Disclosure Decision-Making Model, this study aimed to examine the mediating role of psychological help-seeking stigma and distress disclosure in the relationship between mental health literacy and professional psychological help-seeking attitudes.MethodsWe collected data from 827 participants in seven regions of China (597 female; Mage = 26.019, SD = 5.592 years old) using self-report measures, including the Mental Health Literacy Scale, Questionnaire of Stigma for Seeking Professional Psychological Help, Distress Disclosure Index, and Attitudes Toward Seeking Professional Psychological Help-Short Form. A chain mediation model was built to examine the relationships among mental health literacy, psychological help-seeking stigma, distress disclosure, and professional psychological help-seeking attitudes.ResultsThe results of the analyses showed a positive association between mental health literacy and professional psychological help-seeking attitudes, with psychological help-seeking stigma and distress disclosure playing mediating roles in this relationship. Furthermore, even after controlling for participants’ age, gender, and education, the chain mediation effect of psychological help-seeking stigma and distress disclosure on the relationship between mental health literacy and professional psychological help-seeking attitudes was observed among the Chinese population.ConclusionsThese findings underscore the significance of mental health literacy in shaping professional psychological help-seeking attitudes, while emphasizing the need to account for psychological help-seeking stigma and distress disclosure when examining this association. Additionally, the model proposed in this study provides a valuable framework for promoting the utilization of professional mental health services.

Gratitude, parental support, professional help-seeking attitudes for mental health problems among adolescents

ABSTRACT The current study aims to examine the relationship between gratitude and parental support through the mediation of perceived stress and the influence of parental support on adolescent professional help-seeking for mental health problems. 1987 participants completed the survey, including 41.4% boys and 58.6% girls aged 11–15 years. The findings indicated that (i) parental support mediated the relationship between perceived stress and professional psychological help-seeking attitudes; (ii) perceived stress mediated the effect of gratitude on parental support; (iii) gratitude predicted professional psychological help-seeking attitudes through perceived stress and parental support; and (iv) gratitude predicted positively adolescents’ academic achievement. The study highlights the potential influence of parental support on adolescents’ professional help-seeking attitudes. Mental health services should be developed to be more accessible to adolescents to facilitate more independent help-seeking. Prevention and intervention programmes for adolescents may be more effective at decreasing stress symptoms by combining gratitude interventions.

Attitudes and intentions toward seeking professional psychological help among Chinese healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

It has been suggested that healthcare workers (HCWs) are experiencing massive stressors that threaten their mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic, but little is known about their attitudes and intentions toward seeking professional psychological help. This study aimed to investigate the attitudes and intentions of Chinese HCWs toward seeking professional psychological help during the COVID-19 pandemic and the associated factors. A total of 1,224 Chinese HCWs working in hospitals were recruited online from 12 hospitals in Hunan province in China for a survey conducted in November 2022. The Chinese version of the attitudes toward seeking professional psychological help scale-short form (ATSPPH-SF) and the general help-seeking questionnaire (GHSQ) were separately used to assess the attitudes and intentions of the respondents toward seeking professional psychological help. Demographic and socio-psychological data were collected using a self-developed questionnaire, the perceived social support scale, the self-stigma of seeking help scale, and the patient health questionnaire-9 scale. The 1,208 HCWs in the final analysis showed relatively negative attitudes and low intentions toward seeking professional psychological help during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results of the multiple linear regression analysis showed that female sex (p = 0.031), experience of psychological learning (p < 0.001), and social support (p < 0.001) had a positive predictive effect on the attitudes of these HCWs toward seeking professional psychological help, whereas self-stigma of seeking help (p < 0.001) and depressive symptoms (p < 0.001) exerted negative effects. Moreover, experience of psychological learning (p = 0.004) and social support (p < 0.001) had a positive predictive effect on the intentions of these HCWs toward seeking professional psychological help, whereas divorced marital status (p = 0.011) and self-stigma of seeking help (p < 0.001) exerted negative effects. The overall attitudes and intentions of HCWs toward seeking professional psychological help were not optimistic. Effective interventions targeted at influencing factors should be formulated to promote the professional psychological help-seeking attitudes and intentions of HCWs who are at risk of developing mental health problems.

Depression stigma, depression literacy, and psychological help seeking attitudes among school and university students

Very little research has specifically investigated depression stigma and its correlation with depression literacy and help-seeking attitudes among students. This study aimed to assess the levels and correlations of stigma, literacy, and psychological help-seeking attitudes related to depression among a sample of high school and university students in Jordan. A descriptive, correlational, cross-sectional design was employed using an anonymous, online, self-report survey. This study included a total of 650 students aged 16 to 24 years. The participants were found to have high levels of depression stigma, low levels of depression literacy, and negative attitudes towards seeking psychological help. The most frequently reported sources of psychological help were family members, relatives, and friends. A significant negative correlation was found between depression stigma and depression literacy. The predictive factors of depression stigma were depression literacy, age, gender, education, father's educational level, family size, and having history of mental health problems among family members, relatives, or friends. This study provides valuable information on the common mental health needs and concerns among students in Jordan. The findings also highlight the importance of developing and implementing depression awareness and prevention education campaigns for students in schools and universities. Such campaigns may increase students' knowledge about depression, enhance their use of mental healthcare services, and prevent or decrease their risk of developing depression.

Correlation between Mental Health Literacy Levels and Attitudes of Seeking Psychological Help of Health Services Vocational School Students: Descriptive Cross-sectional Research

The aim of this study is to find the correlation between mental health literacy and psychological help-seeking attitudes of Health Services&#x0D; Vocational School students and to determine the socio-demographic characteristics that affect mental health literacy. The research&#x0D; was realized in a descriptive form at a state university in Izmir between April and May 2022. Between the specified dates, 138 students&#x0D; who could be reached and volunteered participated in the research. Data were collected with a questionnaire that determines sociodemographic&#x0D; characteristics, “Mental Health Literacy Scale (MHLS)”, and “Attitudes Toward Seeking Professional Psychological Help&#x0D; Scale-Short Form (ATSPPH-SF)”. Data were evaluated by using “number, mean, percentage, independent sample t-test and one-way&#x0D; analysis of variance (ANOVA)” tests in SPSS 25 program. The students’ total MHLS score was 106.34±14.09 and the mean ATSPPH-SF&#x0D; score was 15.57±4.62.r While the level of knowledge about recognizing diseases and reaching professional help was found to be higher&#x0D; in women compared to men, “attitudes that facilitate seeking appropriate help for mental health-related diseases and attitudes towards&#x0D; mental health-related diseases” were found to be higher in men compared to women. A statistically significant positive correlation was&#x0D; found between MHLS and ATSPPH-SF. The MHL score of the students was found to be moderate and a positive relationship was found&#x0D; between MHLS and seeking psychological help.

AN EXPLORATORY STUDY OF THE SUITABILITY OF HELP-SEEKING, CULTURE AND STIGMA MEASUREMENT AMONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

There is a rise in the incidence and prevalence of mental distress among university students. However, the rate of mental health service utilisation is low. As psychological help-seeking attitude is a strong predictor for seeking psychological treatment, it is important to validate feasible and psychometrically sound instruments in the Malaysian context. This pilot study aimed to investigate the reliability and validity of six scales measuring the moderating role of culture on the effect of stigma in psychological help-seeking attitudes among university students. An online questionnaire, consisting of 83 items and 6 scales namely, the Portrait Value Questionnaire (PVQ-21), Loss of Face Scale (LOF), Individualism versus Collectivism Scale (INDCOL), Perceptions of Stigmatisation by Others for Seeking Psychological Help Scale (PSOSH), Self-Stigma of Seeking Help (SSOSH), and The Attitudes Toward Seeking Professional Psychological Scale (ATSPPHS-SF) is distributed to a convenience sample of 61 samples from International Islamic University Malaysia. The results of this pilot study indicated that the overall reliability of the questionnaire was Cronbach’s Alpha 0.90. The Cronbach Alpha value for the total of all measures was found to be highly reliable. A factor analysis was run to test the validity of the unidimensional scales, and the results ranged from KMO value 0.63 to 0.84 with Bartlett’s p-value for all scales being significant (p &lt;0.00). Validity of multidimensional scales were tested with convergent validity analysis. Both the INDCOL and PVQ-21 showed a good convergent validity and is a valid tool. The instruments used in this pilot study can be used for the main research study in studying the moderating role of culture on the effect of stigma in psychological help-seeking attitudes among university students as the instruments are multiculturally competent. Therefore, in a multicultural population like Malaysia, instruments as such are found to be helpful in studying the effects of culture, stigma, and personal values on psychological help-seeking attitudes.

Validation and test–retest reliability of the Spiritual Bypass Scale in Muslims and implications for psychological help-seeking attitudes and self-stigma.

Validation and test–retest reliability of the Spiritual Bypass Scale in Muslims and implications for psychological help-seeking attitudes and self-stigma.

Supplemental Material for Validation and Test–Retest Reliability of the Spiritual Bypass Scale in Muslims and Implications for Psychological Help-Seeking Attitudes and Self-Stigma

Supplemental Material for Validation and Test–Retest Reliability of the Spiritual Bypass Scale in Muslims and Implications for Psychological Help-Seeking Attitudes and Self-Stigma

The Role of First-Person Depression Storytelling Online Video on Men’s Self-Stigma of Seeking Help, Traditional Masculinity Ideology, and Psychological Help-Seeking Attitudes

Men are reluctant to seek psychological help as doing so may label them as weak and vulnerable. Thus, we tested whether a first-person storytelling video could buffer men’s self-stigma of seeking help associated with traditional masculinity ideology. Adult men ( N = 396; Mage = 35.62) were randomly assigned and exposed to one of three conditions: (1) control (nothing), (2) male-sensitive brochure, (3) male-sensitive first-person storytelling video. Controlling for pre-existing depressive symptoms, multi-group path analyses with bootstrapping revealed that greater traditional masculinity ideology was associated with lower psychological help-seeking attitudes via increased self-stigma of seeking help, but this indirect effect was not significant for the video group. The direct effect was significantly lower in the video group compared to the brochure and control groups. The findings suggest that brief male-sensitive storytelling videos may be useful clinical and psychoeducational tools to help men re-examine their resistance toward seeking psychological help for depression.

Experiences of Black Men: Forms of Masculinity and Effects on Psychological Help-Seeking Variables

Black adults in the United States seek mental healthcare at a lesser rate than White adults, attributed in part to the stigma of seeking psychological help. Black men in need of mental health care face a double barrier associated with the intersection of their race and gender, as men report more negative attitudes toward help-seeking than do women. To understand help-seeking attitudes among Black men, this study examined the direct effects of traditional masculinity, traditional/Black masculinity, and Black masculinity on public stigma of help-seeking as well as the indirect effects on self-stigma of help-seeking and psychological help-seeking attitudes among a sample of Black men in the United States ( N = 160). Results demonstrated that Black masculinity and traditional/Black masculinity predicted greater public stigma, which predicted greater self-stigma and in turn less positive psychological help-seeking attitudes. This study also found an unexpected negative relationship between traditional masculinity and public stigma and an indirect positive effect on psychological help-seeking attitudes. Results support tailored stigma-reduction interventions for the Black community.

The Mediating Role of Stigma, Internalized Shame, and Autonomous Motivation in the Relationship Between Depression, Anxiety, and Psychological Help-Seeking Attitudes in Multiple Sclerosis

BackgroundDepression and anxiety are commonly experienced in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) yet little is known about factors associated with psychological help-seeking attitudes in those with MS.MethodThe current study investigated whether increased stigma related to chronic illness, internalized shame, and autonomous motivation mediated the relationship between depressive and anxiety symptoms and psychological help-seeking attitudes in individuals with MS. Two hundred fifty-four participants with MS completed an online questionnaire assessing depressive and anxiety symptoms, stigma related to chronic illness, internalized shame, autonomous motivation, and psychological help-seeking attitudes.ResultsStigma related to chronic illness, internalized shame, and autonomous motivation mediated the relationships between increased depressive symptoms and anxiety symptoms and psychological help-seeking attitudes. The study also found that higher levels of chronic illness–related stigma and internalized shame were associated with more negative psychological help-seeking attitudes and higher autonomous motivation was associated with more positive psychological help-seeking attitudes. There were no direct effects of depressive or anxiety symptoms on psychological help-seeking attitudes.ConclusionThe significant mediating roles of stigma-related chronic illness, internalized shame, and autonomous motivation indicate that these factors may be useful to include in future depression and anxiety intervention studies targeting MS populations.

Suicide literacy, suicide stigma, and psychological help seeking attitudes among Arab youth.

To date, very little is known about the current situation of suicide and its effects on psychological help-seeking attitudes in Arab countries. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the levels of suicide literacy and suicide stigma and their relationships with attitudes towards seeking psychological help among a sample of Arab youth in Jordan. A descriptive, correlational, cross-sectional study was conducted using an anonymous online self-report survey to collect data. This study included a total of 707 Arab youth aged 16–24 years (mean = 18.60, SD = 1.95). Most of the participants were male (n = 398, 56.3%). The participants were found to have very low suicide literacy levels, relatively high suicide stigma levels, and negative attitudes towards seeking psychological help. Family members, relatives, and friends were the most frequently reported sources of psychological help, while mental healthcare professionals were the least frequently reported sources. A significant negative correlation was found between attitudes towards seeking psychological help and both stigmatization and glorification subscales of suicide stigma. While a significant positive correlation was found between attitudes towards seeking psychological help and suicide literacy. The predictors of attitudes towards seeking psychological help were gender, suicide literacy, and glorification of suicide stigma among Arab youth. The results of this study confirm the presence of an urgent need for designing and implementing educational programs and awareness campaigns on suicide and mental health among youth in schools and universities. Such interventions may increase knowledge, decrease stigma, change psychological help-seeking attitudes, and hence improve the use of mental health services and may prevent suicide among this age group.

Examining the Psychological Help-Seeking Attitudes of Chinese Immigrants in the U.S.

Help-seeking attitudes have been found to be a strong predictor for help-seeking intentions and behaviors. Previous research on factors influencing help-seeking attitudes in Chinese individuals has been inconclusive. In this paper, we propose a mediation model to clarify the relationships amongst the variables impacting help-seeking attitudes. Using path analyses, we found that self-stigma mediated the relationship between years of residence and help-seeking attitudes, above and beyond the influence of previous experience with a mental health professional. These results can equip counselors with useful information for better outreach initiatives.

A Phenomenological Study of East Asian International Students’ Experience of Counseling

Although research has identified factors associated with U.S.-based Asian international students’ psychological help-seeking attitudes, there is scant research addressing how those who have sought counseling services perceived their counseling experiences. Therefore, this is the first known qualitative study to examine the experiences of East Asian international students who had sought mental health counseling in the United States. Using an interpretative phenomenological approach, the authors examined East Asian international students’ perceptions of (a) factors that facilitated or inhibited their decision to seek counseling; (b) their positive and negative experiences in counseling, and (c) the role of culture in their decision to seek counseling as well as in their overall experience of counseling. Five Chinese and four Korean international students who had sought counseling services at U.S. universities were interviewed. Six themes emerged: (1) Perceived Influence of Social Networks on the Decision to Seek Counseling, (2) Perceived Stigma, (3) Expectations of a Medical Model of Counseling, (4) Perceived Cultural Incompetence of Counselors, (5) Positive Experience of Counseling, and (6) Expectations of the Counselor’s Background. The findings provide an account of East Asian international students’ experiences of counseling that align with the extant literature on counseling in some respects but also diverge in others, thus contributing to a more complex and less stereotypical view of East Asian international students’ counseling needs.

The relationship between beliefs towards mental illness and psychological help-seeking attitudes of medical vocational high school students

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between beliefs towards mental illness and psychological help-seeking attitudes of medical vocational high school students. Material and Methods: The sample of this analytical study consisted of 364 students studying at a medical vocational high school from February 1, 2019 to March 31, 2019. Data were collected using Student Information Form, Belief towards Mental Illness Scale and Attitudes toward Seeking Psychological Help Scale-Shortened. Descriptive data were analyzed using Mann–Whitney U-test and Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient test since data were not normally distributed.Results: The mean total Belief towards Mental Illness Scale score of the students was 50.08±17.32. The mean scores of subscales were 22.31±7.66 for dangerousness, 2.12±2.75 for embarrassment, and 50.08±17.32 for desperateness/poor social and interpersonal skills. The mean scores of positive and negative psychological help-seeking attitudes of the students were 46.79±10.51 and 21.33±5.92, respectively. Positive psychological help-seeking attitude was found to have a weak and negative correlation with dangerousness (r=0.131) and desperateness (r=0.107) subscales whereas a weak and positive correlation was observed with the embarrassment (r=0.202) subscale (p0.05). Negative psychological help-seeking attitudewas found to have a moderate and negative correlation with the total Belief towards Mental Illness Scale (r=0.328) scores, embarrassment (r=0.364) and desperateness (r=0.328) subscales whereas a weak and negative correlation was observed with the dangerousness (r=0.159) subscale (p0.05). Conclusion: This study has shown that beliefs of the medical vocational high school students towards mental illness are at a moderate level whereas their psychological help-seeking attitudes are high. Furthermore, students’ beliefs towards mental illness have been found to affect their psychological help-seeking attitudes. In line with these results, we believe that there is a need for studies that will improve students’ beliefs towards mental illness in a positive way.