Predictors of Psychological Help Seeking Intentions among the University Students in Tanzania

Abstract

Worldwide, students’ in higher learning institutions face psycho-social challenges. Some of the challenges require psychological help services offered by the universities. Despite the prevalence of the challenges and availability of psychological help services, studies reported that utilization of such services is very low. The existing literature provides limited information about the university students’ help seeking intentions in Tanzania. Therefore, this study assessed the extent to which attitudes, subjective norms and perceived behavioural control influence the university students’ intentions to seek psychological help. A total of 740 students from two public universities in Tanzania participated in the study. The data were analysed through descriptive and inferential statistical techniques. Results from the multiple regression analysis indicated that all three variables statistically significantly predicted the university students’ intention to seek psychological help. Creation of awareness about the benefits of psychological help services can help to increase university students’ utilization of psychological help services. The implications of the results, limitation and direction for future studies are provided.