Help-seeking intentions in college students: An exploration of eating disorder specific help-seeking and general psychological help-seeking

Tillman, Kathleen S.; Sell, Darcie M.

doi:10.1016/j.eatbeh.2013.02.004

Cited by 12 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…Students with EDs were globally more anxious and stressed than students without EDs. College students in situations of emotional stress (stress and anxiety) were more likely to seek help from friends or family, representing an important step of help-seeking [30]. Attitudes may predict help-seeking intentions related to recognition of symptoms and the benefits of professional help, and openness to treatment for emotional problems [31].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Eating Disorders among College Students in France: Characteristics, Help-and Care-Seeking

Tavolacci

Déchelotte

Ladner

2020

IJERPH

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The aim of this paper was to identify the characteristics of broader categories of eating disorders (ED) and help- and care-seeking among college students. An online cross-sectional study was conducted among students of the University of Rouen-Normandy, France. The Expali-validated algorithmic tool, combining SCOFF test (Sick, Control, One stone, Fat, Food) and body mass index, was used to screen eating disorders into three diagnostic categories: restrictive eating disorders, bulimic eating disorders, and hyperphagic eating disorders. A total of 1493 college students were included; mean age was 20.1 years (SD = 1.9). The prevalence of likely cases of eating disorder was 24.8% (95% CI, 22.6–27.0). Percentage distributions of bulimic eating disorders, hyperphagic eating disorders, and restrictive eating disorders were 13.3%, 8.6%, and 2.9%, respectively. The two main resources for help-seeking in emotional stress situations were friends and family, whatever the ED. Students with eating disorders consulted their general practitioner more often for stress or anxiety than students without eating disorders: hyperphagic eating disorders (44.9%), restrictive eating disorders (35.1%), bulimic eating disorders (30.2%), and no eating disorder (20.4%) (p < 0.0001). The prevalence of healthcare renunciation was 21.9%, with a higher risk among students with bulimic eating disorders (AOR CI 95% 1.91 (1.34–2.72). The findings show one quarter of students screened positive for an eating disorder. Stress management was not necessarily different between students with eating disorders and students without eating disorders, but the former had a greater risk of renouncing treatment, especially related to a fear of seeing a general practitioner.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Eating Disorders among College Students in France: Characteristics, Help-and Care-Seeking

Tavolacci

Déchelotte

Ladner

2020

IJERPH

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“…This effect was more pronounced among those who showed higher levels of eating concerns. Students at a mid-sized American university were also significantly more likely to seek help for a friend with an ED than to seek help for themselves if they were experiencing an ED [ 93 ]. Of several variables explored, knowledge about EDs was the only one that significantly predicted whether or not students would seek help for a friend with any psychological concern—not only EDs.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Help-seeking attitudes and behaviours among youth with eating disorders: a scoping review

et al. 2022

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Background Although early intervention is crucial in interrupting the development of eating disorders, little is currently known about help-seeking behaviours among individuals experiencing eating disorder symptoms. Given that eating disorders typically begin early in life, it is necessary to investigate the processes employed by children, adolescents, and emerging adults when seeking services for troubling symptoms. This is a growing concern as the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in an increase in the number of individuals engaging in disordered eating behaviours. This scoping review explores the current state of the literature for evidence on how youth with eating disorder symptoms seek help, with the aim of better understanding how to identify and treat more individuals earlier. Methods Using scoping review methodology, we searched seven databases for studies published from January 2000 to April 2021 that reported on help-seeking attitudes, behaviours, and healthcare utilization patterns for children and adolescents (< 18 years), emerging adults (18–25 years), and a mixture of these groups (< 25 years). Seven thousand, two hundred, and eighteen articles were identified for review. After duplicates were removed, three reviewers independently screened titles and abstracts and reviewed full-text articles. Findings related to help-seeking activity were extracted from the 62 articles that were ultimately included in this scoping review. Results Study findings were summarized into help-seeking patterns (i.e., rates, types) as well as factors ranging from the individual level to society that influenced help-seeking behaviour. Many youth meeting eating disorder criteria were not seeking help. Notable barriers to help-seeking included poor mental health literacy, experiences with healthcare providers who failed to detect and lacked knowledge about eating disorders, minimal support from family and friends, and stigma surrounding eating disorders and help-seeking for mental health concerns. Conclusions The results of this scoping review can be used to inform early intervention and health promotion program development. Future research should focus on the help-seeking attitudes and activities among underrepresented groups with eating disorders (e.g., men, ethnic and gender minorities), the perspectives of family and other supporters in the help-seeking process for youth, and retrospective accounts from adults with lived experience of an eating disorder. Plain English summary Addressing and interrupting eating disorder-related thoughts and behaviours as soon as possible, with the help of a mental health professional, leads to better outcomes for youth struggling with an eating disorder. However, little is known about what prompts youth to talk about their weight, body, or eating concerns with someone—like their parent, friend, teacher, guidance counsellor, or primary care practitioner. This review explores the available published research on help-seeking patterns and preferences among youth with eating disorder concerns. Our team followed a standardized process to find 62 relevant articles for this paper. Of note, many young people who reported eating disorder concerns were not seeking help for themselves. Feeling supported by family and their primary care provider, understanding the signs of an eating disorder, and not feeling shame for reaching out for help reportedly led youth to speak up about their concerns. The findings have clinical implications for learning effective ways to help youth feel safe to speak freely about their eating disorder-related concerns, which enhances the chances of intervening early and catching symptoms before they worsen.

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“…Help-seeking behaviors have been impacted by the public stigma to mental illness which led to a resistance in acknowledging or addressing the presentation of psychological symptoms. The stigma of mental health has been repeatedly found to account for negative attitudes and decreased intentions toward help-seeking (Chang, 2007;Masuda & Boone, 2011;Masuda et al, 2012;Mendoza et al, 2015;Tillman & Sell, 2013). There are proactive steps that can be taken to help reduce the stigma associated with mental health and lack of long-term care follow-up.…”

Section: Help-seeking Behaviorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mental and Emotional Health in the Dominican Republic

Akbar

2021

International and Cultural Psychology

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Psychology and the science behind mental health have continued to advance and progress over the years, so much so that many countries have begun to implement policies, campaigns, and programs to destigmatize the need for mental health treatment. For the many Caribbean islands, the West Indies, and Latin America, the implementation process has been challenging at best, while most times considered a herculean effort. The inability to implement successful mental health services is due to various factors such as colonization, economic inequality, corrupt government, and mistrust of psychological programming. Specifically, within the Caribbean territories, mental health has faced delays in widespread acceptance. Psychological needs are diminished in terms of importance as untreated mental illness increases daily.To add further complexity, there are inconsistencies in terms of psychological services given the lack of trained mental health professionals, culturally appropriate resources, and inconsistent implementation. In order for there to be a successful development of psychology within Caribbean nations, there needs to be a better understanding of psychology and provision of services to the people of the region-preferably from people that look like them, speak their language or dialect, are able to implement a combination of mental health strategies, and can build trust within their patients.Throughout this chapter, we will examine the history of psychology and mental health as it has been introduced to the Dominican Republic (DR) and its people. A historical lens will reveal the many challenges, hindrances, and societal factors that impact the awareness, utilization, and implementation of reliable psychology within the Dominican Republic. A path forward and recommendations will be included for consideration to increase awareness of mental health service delivery options.

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Help-seeking intentions in college students: An exploration of eating disorder specific help-seeking and general psychological help-seeking

Cited by 12 publications

References 12 publications

Eating Disorders among College Students in France: Characteristics, Help-and Care-Seeking

Eating Disorders among College Students in France: Characteristics, Help-and Care-Seeking

Help-seeking attitudes and behaviours among youth with eating disorders: a scoping review

Mental and Emotional Health in the Dominican Republic

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