Mental Health Help-Seeking Intentions Among International and African American College Students: An Application of the Theory of Planned Behavior

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between social-cognitive factors (e.g., attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control), psychological distress, and help-seeking intentions for a sample of 111 international and African American college students. The results of this study showed that the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) variables (e.g., attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control) accounted for 17.7 % of the variance in help-seeking intentions. The first hypothesis, which predicted that positive attitudes toward mental health services and perceived behavioral control would be significant predictors of the students’ intentions to seek mental health services, was partially supported. Perceived behavioral control was the strongest predictor of helpseeking intentions. Contrary to our expectations, attitudes toward mental health services were not a significant predictor of mental health seeking intentions. The second hypothesis was not supported. There was no significant difference in mean intention scores for African American college students compared to international college students.

Healthcare-seeking behaviours in college students and young adults: a review

“…There were 15 studies conducted in the US, three studies in India, two in Nigeria, one in Ghana, one in Taiwan, one in Saudi Arabia, one in Lebanon, one in Pakistan, one in the United Arab Emirates, one in Oman and one in Canada. The studies in the US focused on healthcare-seeking behaviours related to general and mental health; perceived stigma related to seeking healthcare; expenditures associated with healthcare; the association between medical mistrust and the use of health services; the use of online tools to seek healthcare; and the staffing for and scope of services offered in student health centres (Basch et al, 2018;Burlaka et al, 2014;Davies et al, 2000;Dennis and Hicks, 2006;Eisenberg et al, 2009;Fortuna et al, 2009;Gavgani et al, 2013;Han and Pong, 2015;Lau et al, 2014;McBride et al, 2013;Mesidor and Sly, 2014;Nicoteri and Arnold, 2005;Price et al, 2013;Turner and Keller;Zhang, 2013). Similarly, the studies in India, Nigeria, Lebanon, Canada, Oman, Pakistan, Taiwan and Ghana focused on general healthcare-seeking behaviours among college students and the use of online tools in seeking healthcare (Afolabi et al, 2013;Ahmad et al, 2017;Ajaegbu and Ubochi, 2016;El Kahi et al, 2012;Kuuire et al, 2015;Luo et al, 2018;Menon et al, 2017;Moazzam et al, 2018;Osei Asibey, et al, 2017;Sultan et al, 2017;Vaz et al, 2012).…”

“…Three articles detailed the effect of studying in a health-related discipline on healthcare-seeking behaviours (Al-Asraj et al, 2013;Sawalha et al, 2017;Vaz et al, 2012). Five articles discussed healthcare-seeking behaviours related to mental healthcare (Burlaka et al, 2014;El Kahi et al, 2012;Menon et al, 2017;Mesidor and Sly, 2014). Table 1 provides a summary of each article related to healthcare-seeking behaviour among college students.…”

“…These researchers found the least utilised mental health services are those provided by psychiatrists, the use of psychological services is a less popular choice among students, and students with mental health problems need both continued emotional commitment as well as economic support. Mesidor and Sly (2014) investigated the extent to which social-cognitive factors and psychological distress predicted helpcareseeking intentions for international and African American college students, and they found that perceived behavioural control was a significant predictor of intentions to seek mental health services. This and psychological distress were positively correlated with help-seeking intentions; students reporting high psychological distress and perceived they had some control over the situation were more likely to seek mental health services.…”

Profil Sikap Mencari Bantuan Layanan Psikologis pada Mahasiswa

“…Konstruk dasar dari sikap dapat ditelusuri melalui teori planned behavior yang dikemukakan oleh Ajzen pada tahun 1991 (Mesidor & Sly, 2014). Sikap terhadap perilaku didefinisikan sebagai evaluasi individu atas perilaku tertentu, disertai keyakinan bahwa perilaku tersebut akan menuai hasil positif atau negatif.…”

Examining the Experiences of Campus Safety among International Students

“…Willis-O'Connor (2014) identified factors that contribute to the underutilization of campus-based counseling services by international students, with culture highlighted as one of the key factors in help-seeking behavior. Mesidor and Sly (2014) reported that 17.7% of variance in help-seeking intentions for international and African American students was accounted for by socialcognitive factors, such as attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, and psychological distress. Shea and Yeh (2008) investigated the impact of adherence to Asian values and the stigma often associated with receiving psychological help by Asian American college and graduate students.…”