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 in uence 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 signi cantly predicted the university students' intention to seek psychological help. Creation of awareness about the bene ts 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.

Determining Factors Influencing Collegiate Players’ Intention to Pursue a Professional Career

“…The questionnaire was divided into 7 variables: (1) perceived behavioral control, (2) subjective norms, (3) attitude, (4) extrinsic motivation, (5) intrinsic motivation, (6) affective behavior, and (7) self-efficacy, which were adapted from various research works with similar individual frameworks [ 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 , 56 , 57 , 58 , 59 , 60 , 61 , 62 , 63 , 64 , 65 , 66 , 67 , 68 , 69 , 70 , 71 , 72 , 73 , 74 ]. The survey was employed using a 5-point Likert scale with “1—Strongly Disagree” to “5—Strongly Agree”.…”

“…Based on the findings of Putra and Purba [ 47 ], student interns’ intention to apply for jobs or other internships being offered by different companies was a predictor of subjective norms and self-efficacy. According to the study by Daudi et al [ 48 ], students’ attitudes had the most predictive power over subjective norms and perceived behavioral control, but all three TPB domains had a significant effect on their career intentions in their respective industries. When it comes to career pursuance, the subjective norm has been proven to have a significant effect because people might be inspired to pursue jobs that are aligned with societal expectations, especially if people think that influential individuals and groups will approve of them [ 49 ].…”

“…When it comes to career pursuance, the subjective norm has been proven to have a significant effect because people might be inspired to pursue jobs that are aligned with societal expectations, especially if people think that influential individuals and groups will approve of them [ 49 ]. Furthermore, the need to avoid disapproval increases the impact of subjective standards on career choices [ 48 ]. It could be posited that stronger subjective norms influence the tendency of individuals to follow career paths that fit the societal norm, even if those paths do not match with their individual preferences.…”

University Students’ Attitudes Toward Seeking Psychological Help for Psycho-Social Problems in Two Selected Public Universities in Tanzania: A Mixed Methods Study

“…The participants’ socio-demographic characteristics has been partly described in our previous publication (Daudi et al, 2023). In a nutshell, a total of 740 students were conveniently selected to participate in the study.…”

“…Attitude toward seeking psychological help for psycho-social problems was measured using 12 items adapted from the attitude toward seeking professional psychological help scale (ATSPPH-SF; Fischer & Farina, 1995). The information about the use of this scale has been partly described in our previous publication (Daudi et al, 2023). Briefly, one of the adaptations made was using the term “counselling and/or counsellor” because it is the commonly used term in psychological help-seeking settings in Tanzanian universities, including the studied universities.…”