Problem Severity, Technology Adoption, and Intent to Seek Online Counseling Among Overseas Filipino Workers

Abstract

This study examined the factors that influence the intent to seek online counseling among overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). A survey among 365 OFWs revealed that problem severity and technology adoption predict intent to use online counseling. Among the three factors of technology adoption, perceived ease in the use of technology and perceived presence of organization and technological infrastructure to support use predicted intent to use online counseling. Our hypothesis about the presence of interaction between problem severity and facilitating conditions was supported. Among individuals with low problem severity, those who perceive the presence of organization and technological infrastructure to support use have a higher intent to use online counseling. However, at higher levels of problem severity, the effect of facilitating conditions seems to disappear. These findings highlight the crucial role of preventive online mental health services. The study contributes to theory by integrating the stage model of help-seeking behaviors and technology adoption theory in predicting intent to use online counseling. Specifically, that intent to seek online counseling is affected by the existence and perceived gravity of a problem, moderated by technology adoption factors, particularly facilitating conditions. These have implications on the need to educate potential users on the advantages of counseling and ensure that migrant workers have access to technology and that the technology is easy to use.

Intent to Seek Counseling Among Filipinos

“…Third, the use of problem frequency to operationalize problem severity was not consistent with other studies evaluating Cramer's model (e.g., Liao et al, 2005). Although frequency might not be synonymous to severity, other studies have utilized similar procedures and have found similar patterns of relationships comparable with our study (e.g., see Hechanova et al, 2013, for a broad range of problems; Gainsbury, Hing, & Suhonen, 2014, for problem gambling severity). Fourth, the findings are limited to intent to seek counseling and could reflect preferences for help-seeking rather than actual use.…”

“…On a 4-point Likert-type scale (1 = never, 4 = always), participants were asked the frequency with which they experienced each of the problems presented. Similar procedures were utilized to measure problem severity in a sample of Filipino migrant workers, and good internal consistency was reported (α = .85, Hechanova et al, 2013). As reported by Hechanova et al (2013), problem severity was positively correlated with intent to seek online counseling.…”

“…Based on pretests (Tuliao & Velasquez, 2014), three additional issues commonly reported by Filipino college students (i.e., financial/money problems, conflict with spouse/significant other, and conflict with other family members) were subsequently added. The PLSH was also adapted in a study of intent to seek online counseling among Filipino migrant workers, and good internal consistency was reported (α = .95; Hechanova et al, 2013).…”

Mental health help seeking among Filipinos: a review of the literature

“…Problem severity and attitudes supportive of counseling were associated with willingness to seek professional help among a sample of Filipino college students (Bunagan et al, 2011;Gong et al, 2003;Tuliao & Velasquez, in press). Ease in operating the system and the presence of computers and access to internet was associated with higher intent to seek online counseling among migrant workers, even after accounting for problem severity (Hechanova et al, 2013).…”

“…For instance, Hechanova and colleagues (Hechanova, Tuliao, & Ang, 2011;Hechanova, Tuliao, Teh, Alianan, & Acosta, 2013) concluded that intent to seek online counseling among Filipino overseas migrant workers was low. In a survey of 359 Filipino college students in the Philippines, only 22% in their lifetime sought professional help for an academic or non-academic issue, and there was a significantly higher preference to seek help from friends and family members than from professional counselors and psychotherapists (Bello, Pinson, & Tuliao, 2013;Bunagan, Tuliao, & Velasquez, 2011).…”