Secondary school students' views of inhibiting factors in seeking counselling

Use of counselling services by school-attending adolescent girls in Nigeria

“…This study revealed that most participants (80.1%) had school counsellors meaning that their awareness about school counselling service is not in doubt. This is also consistent with most of the studies outside Africa on the availability of school counselling services in schools (Bhana et al 2006, Chan andQuinn 2012). In addition, this study showed that more than half the participants (53.8%) utilised the school counselling services which is quite commendable.…”

“…Further investigation, probably a qualitative study, will explore these in detail and help clarify why they revealed such displeasure with the services. The studies of Jenkins (2010) and Chan and Quinn (2012) are in line with the assertion that confidentiality and diffidence/shyness were some of the major factors inhibiting the use of school based counselling services by students. Unwillingness to repeat the use of services as indicated by the adolescents might mean that the services rendered was either below their expectation or did not meet their needs.…”

“…However, other studies conducted in the Western world have been carried out with secondary school children (Kilinc and Granello 2003, Hyun et al 2006, Gulliver et al 2010, Hayes et al 2011, Chan and Quinn 2012. The few related studies in sub-Saharan Africa focus on attitude of students to guidance and counselling services (Eyo et al 2010, Mwangi, Yambo andOcharo 2013).…”

“…Furthermore, some studies (Nilsson et al 2004, Cooke et al 2006, Hyun et al 2006, Zachrisson, Rödje and Mykletun 2006, Russell et al 2008, Gulliver, Griffiths and Christensen 2010 reveal that students do not use services because they do not feel the need or are embarrassed about seeking help. Chan and Quinn (2012) examined secondary school students' perceptions of inhibiting factors in seeking counselling, and their study showed that diffidence/shyness and self-reliance are inhibiting factors to the use of school-based counselling services. Finally, Angermeyer et al (1999) asserts that, the belief that mental health services should be used only after other sources of support can influence service use.…”

Cultural values and attitudes towards guidance and counselling services in one secondary school in Malaysia: the role of a school cultural system

“…These findings indicate that despite positive aspects exhibited by young people who wanted someone to talk to, reluctance to engage with counselling may reflect a mismatch in cultural values among them. Similarly, Chan and Quinn (2012) have reported that many young people are self-reliant or would turn to friends or family to help them to deal with a difficult issue. Abdul Halim (1996) and Sapora (2007) argue that the concept of counselling exists in tension with the functions of traditional helpers like family and friends, who value the importance of being directive and interdependent.…”