Students’ Attitudes Toward Seeking Psychological Help
Commenced in January 2007
Frequency: Monthly
Edition: International
Paper Count: 33087
Students’ Attitudes Toward Seeking Psychological Help

Authors: P. Gudelj, E. Franić, M. Kolega

Abstract:

Mental health is crucial for personal, social, and socio-economic development, becoming an increasingly relevant topic, especially in the post-global pandemic era. One vulnerable demographic comprises students who, during the pandemic, faced challenges such as adapting to new educational methods, societal or residential changes, heightened stress, responsibilities, and entering the job market. These life challenges proved insurmountable for some individuals during this phase. This research aimed to examine students' attitudes towards individuals seeking psychological help. By gaining a better understanding of young people's perceptions of seeking psychological assistance, a clearer insight into how to make psychological support more accessible and acceptable can be achieved. A questionnaire was completed by 210 students from various disciplines at the University of Zagreb. While the majority of students expressed a positive attitude towards seeking psychological help, a very small percentage reported having sought it. One of the most common obstacles to seeking appropriate help was a lack of financial means, with the most significant motivators being the positive experiences of those who sought help and an affordable cost.

Keywords: Mental health, students, psychological support, attitudes.

Procedia APA BibTeX Chicago EndNote Harvard JSON MLA RIS XML ISO 690 PDF Downloads 81

References:


[1] M. E. Addis and J. R. Mahalik. „Men, masculinity, and the contexts of help seeking“. American Psychologist, Vol 58, No1, pp 5–14, 2003.
[2] L. Bojanić, I. Gorski and J. Razum „Zašto studenti ne traže pomoć? Barijere u traženju stručne pomoći kod studenata s psihičkim smetnjama“. Socijalna psihijatrija, Vol. 44, No. 4, pp. 330-342, 2016.
[3] E. Çebi and A. Demir, „Help-seeking attitudes of university students in Turkey “. International Journal for the Advancement of Counselling, Vol. 42, No. 1, pp 37–47, 2020.
[4] I. Jakovčić and I. Živčić-Bećirević, „Stavovi studenata prema traženju stručne psihološke pomoći“. Socijalna psihijatrija. Vol. 37, pp 3-10, 2009.
[5] I. Jakovčić, I. Živčić-Bećirević and G. Birovljević “Učinkovitost psihološkog savjetovanja studenata riječkog Sveučilišta”. Psihologijske teme, Vol. 24, pp 495-516, 2015.
[6] L. Liddon, R. Kingerlee, and J. A. Barry, „Gender differences in preferences for psychological treatment, coping strategies, and triggers to help‐seeking “. British Journal of Clinical Psychology, Vol. 9, 2017.
[7] C. S. Mackenzie, W. L. Gekoski, W. L., and V. J. Knox, “Age, gender, and the underutilization of mental health services: The influence of help-seeking attitudes”. Aging & Mental Health, Vol. 10, No. 6, pp 574–582, 2006.
[8] P. Bezinović, A. Pokrajac-Bulian, S. Smojver-Ažić, and I. Živčić-Bećirević, I. „Struktura i zastupljenost dominantnih psiholoških problema u studentskoj populaciji“. Društvena istraživanja, Vol. 7 No. (4-5), pp 525-541, 1998.
[9] S. Mamić, M. Nekić, M. Vidaković, J. Ombla, and I. Sučić Šantek, “Uloga studentskog savjetovališta u brizi za mentalno zdravlje studenata”. Klinička psihologija Vol. 15 No. 1-2, pp 37-49, 2022.
[10] O. Petrak, M. Rukavina, and I. Takšić, „Zastupljenost poteškoća i zadovoljstvo različitim aspektima života kod studenata zdravstvenih studija“. Klinička Psihologija, Vol. 11, No.1-2, pp 87-102. 2018.
[11] I. Živčić-Bećirević, I. Jakovčić, Sveučilišni savjetovališni centar – Psihološko savjetovalište: Naših prvih petnaest, Sveučilište u Rijeci, Rijeka, 2013.
[12] D. Eisenberg, E. Golberstein, and S. E. Gollust, „ Help-seeking and access to mental health care in a university student population “. Medical care, Vol. 45, No. 7, pp 594-601, 2007.
[13] T. Giovazolias, S. Leontopoulou, S. Triliva, “Assessment of Greek university students’ counselling needs and attitudes: an exploratory study”. International Journal for the Advancement of Counselling, Vol. 32, pp 101-116. 2010.
[14] J. Hunt, & D. Eisenberg, Mental health problems and help-seeking behavior among college students. Journal of Adolescent Health, Vol. 46, No.1, pp 3–10. 2010.
[15] N. Komiya, G. E. Good, N. B. Sherrod, N. B. “Emotional openness as a predictor of college students' attitudes toward seeking psychological help.” Journal of counseling psychology, Vol. 47, No 1, 138, 2000.
[16] S. Clement, O. Schauman, T. Graham, F. Maggioni, S. Evans-Lacko, N. Bezborodovs,... & G. Thornicroft, “What is the impact of mental health-related stigma on help-seeking? A systematic review of quantitative and qualitative studies”. Psychological medicine, Vol. 45, No. 1, pp 11-27. 2015.
[17] A. Gulliver, K. M. Griffiths, & H. Christensen. “Perceived barriers and facilitators to mental health help-seeking in young people: a systematic review.” BMC Psychiatry, Vol. 10, pp 1-9. 2010.
[18] D. L. Vogel, N. G. Wade, and A. H. Hackler, “Perceived public stigma and the willingness to seek counseling: The mediating roles of self-stigma and attitudes toward counseling.” Journal of Counseling Psychology, Vol 54, No 1, pp 40-50, 2017.
[19] C. S. Constantinou, M. Georgiou, M. Perdikogianni, “Medical students’ attitudes and beliefs towards psychotherapy: A mixed research methods study.” Behavioral Sciences, Vol. 7 No. 3, 55, 2017.
[20] V. Antičević, “Učinci pandemija na mentalno zdravlje”. Društvena istraživanja-Časopis za opća društvena pitanja, Vol. 30, No. 2, pp 423-443, 2021.
[21] N. Jokić Begić, I. Hromatko, T. Jurin, Ž. Kamenov, G. Keresteš, G. Kuterovac Jagodić, & C. Sangster C. Jokić, (2020). Kako smo svi mi? Rezultati istraživanja psihičkog zdravlja za vrijeme pandemije COVID-19 u Hrvatskoj. In Koronavirus i mentalno zdravlje: psihološki aspekti, savjeti i preporuke (pp. 415-460). Hrvatska psihološka komora.
[22] B. Margetić, T. Peraica, K. Stojanović, D. Ivanec, D. “Predictors of emotional distress during the COVID-19 pandemic; a Croatian study.” Personality and Individual Differences, Vol. 175, 110691. 2021.
[23] F. R. Ramírez-Martínez, M. T. Villanos, S. Sharma, & M. Leiner, “Variations in anxiety and emotional support among first-year college students across different learning modes (distance and face-to-face) during COVID-19.” PLoS ONE, Vol. 19, No. 3, Article e0285650. 2024.
[24] C. Son, S. Hegde, A. Smith, X. Wang, X., & F. Sasangohar, „Effects of COVID-19 on college students' mental health in the United States: An interview survey study “. Journal of Medical Internet Research, Vol. 22, No.9. 2020
[25] G. X. D. Tan, X. C. Soh, A. Hartanto, A. Y. H., Goh, N. M. Majeed, „Prevalence of anxiety in college and university students: An umbrella review, “Journal of Affective Disorders Reports, Vol. 14, 2023
[26] Ž. Karin, D. Nonković, M. Gotovac, „ Djeca i mladi u pandemiji COVID-19“. Liječnički vjesnik, Vol. 144, pp 133-138, 2022
[27] L. Guenthner, S. Baldofski, E. Kohls, J. Schuhr, T. Brock, C. Rummel-Kluge, „Differences in Help-Seeking Behavior among University Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic Depending on Mental Health Status: Results from a Cross-Sectional Survey “. Behav. Sci. Vol. 13, 885. 2023.
[28] L. Korn, A. Zigdon, N. Davidovitch, „ Academic distress among undergraduate students during COVID-19: the relevance of SES and help-seeking behaviors “. Frontiers in Psychology, Vol.14,.2023.
[29] J. Lee, H. J., Jeong, & S. Kim, “Stress, Anxiety, and Depression Among Undergraduate Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic and their Use of Mental Health Services”. Innov High Educ Vol. 46, pp 519–538, 2021.
[30] T. Yamauchi, T. Shimazaki, H. Yanagisawa, & M. Suka, “Formal and informal help-seeking intentions/behaviors among students and workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: a scoping review”. Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine, Vol. 28, pp 53-53, 2023.
[31] N. Yonemoto, & Y. Kawashima, “Help-seeking behaviors for mental health problems during the COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review.” Journal of Affective Disorders, Vol. 323, pp 85-100, 2023.
[32] A. Theurel, A. Witt, „ Identifying barriers to mental health help-seeking in French university students during the COVID-19 pandemic “. Creative Education, Vol. 13, No.2, 437-449, 2022.
[33] I. Ajzen, The theory of planned behavior, Organizational Behaviour and Human Decision Process, Vol. 50, No. 2, pp 179-212, 1991.
[34] W. Li, D. S. Dorstyn, L.A. Denson, „Psychosocial correlates of college students’ help-seeking intention: A meta-analysis.“ Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, Vol. 45, No. 3, 163–170, 2014.
[35] S. E. Taylor, L. C. Klein, B. P. Lewis, T. L. Gruenewald, R. A. R Gurung, J. A. Updegraff „Biobehavioral responses to stress in females: Tend-and-befriend, not fight-or-flight.“ Psychological Review, Vol.107, No. 3, pp 411–429, 2020.
[36] S. Safdar, W. Friedlmeier, D. Matsumoto, S. H. Yoo, C. T. Kwantes, H. Kakai, E. Shigemasu, „Variations of emotional display rules within and across cultures: A comparison between Canada, USA, and Japan.“ Canadian Journal of Behavioural Science / Revue canadienne des sciences du comportement, Vol. 41, No. 1, pp 1–10, 2019.
[37] A. H. Fischer, P. M. Rodriguez Mosquera, A. E. M. van Vianen, & A. S. R. Manstead, „Gender and Culture Differences in Emotion“. Emotion, Vol. 4, No 1, pp 87–94, 2024.
[38] M. P. Matud, „ Gender differences in stress and coping styles“. Pers. Individ. Diff. Vol. 37, pp 1401–1415, 2024.
[39] M. G. Gard, A. M. Kring „ Sex differences in the time course of emotion.“ Emotion. Vol. 7, No. 2, pp 429–37, 2007
[40] S. Lyubomirsky, L. King, & E. Diener. “The benefits of frequent positive affect: Does happiness lead to success?” Psychological Bulletin, Vol. 131, No.6, 803, 2015.