From attitude to intent to action: Predictors of psychological help-seeking behavior among clinically distressed adults

Although many people suffer from mental health concerns, a large proportion of these people do not seek psychological help (Alonso et al., 2009; Clement et al., 2015; Kessler et al., 2003; Thornicroft, 2007; Vogel, Wester & Larson, 2006). Research indicates that public and self-stigma, attitudes toward counseling, and intentions to seek counseling are all important factors in the help-seeking process (Bayer & Peay, 1997; Cooper et al., 2003; Corrigan, 2004; Komiya et al., 2000; Link et al., 2014; Mojtabai, Olfson, & Mechanic, 2002; Sirey et al., 2001; Vogel et al., 2005; Vogel, Wade, & Haake, 2006; Vogel, Wade, & Hackler, 2007). However, one glaring omission exists in the vast majority of this research: very few studies measure actual help-seeking behavior. In addition, most of this research has been conducted with college students, most of whom did not have a current mental health concern. In the present study, I explored psychological help-seeking behavior in a clinically distressed sample of adults. In particular, I explored whether public stigma of help-seeking, self-stigma of help-seeking, and attitudes towards receiving professional psychological help predicted intentions to seek help in a sample of clinically distressed adults. Additionally, I examined these relationships with actual help-seeking behavior. For this study a total of N =125 clinically distressed adults completed two surveys two weeks apart. Results of the hierarchical regression predicting attitudes suggested that self-stigma predicted attitudes above and beyond the other variables entered into the model. Results of the hierarchical regression predicting hypothetical intentions revealed that encouragement and pressure to seek help by friends and family and attitudes toward counseling are more predictive than self-stigma when all variables were entered into the model. Results of a third hierarchical regression predicting actual intentions revealed similar patterns; self-stigma was related to actual intentions but not in the final model, in which ethnicity, social encouragement, and attitudes predicted actual intentions above and beyond the other variables entered into the model. Results of a logistic regression predicting actual behavior (i.e., scheduling or attending an appointment with a mental health professional) suggest that minority ethnicity, greater public stigma, and greater hypothetical intentions predicts actual help-seeking behavior. Results are discussed based on previous research, Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), and Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA). Limitations, implications, and future recommendations are discussed

Depression, Relationship Quality, and Couples’ Demand/Withdraw and Demand/Submit Sequential Interactions

This study investigated the associations among depression, relationship quality, and demand/withdraw and demand/submit behavior in couples’ conflict interactions. Two 10-min conflict interactions were coded for each couple (N = 97) using Structural Analysis of Social Behavior (SASB; Benjamin, 1979a, 1987, 2000a). Depression was assessed categorically (via the presence of depressive disorders) and dimensionally (via symptom reports). Results revealed that relationship quality was negatively associated with demanding behavior, as well as receiving submissive or withdrawing behavior from one’s partner. Relationship quality was positively associated with withdrawal. Demanding behavior was positively associated with women’s depression symptoms but negatively associated with men’s depression symptoms. Sequential analysis revealed couples’ behavior was highly stable across time. Initiation of demand/withdraw and demand/submit sequences were negatively associated with partners’ relationship adjustment. Female demand/male withdraw was positively associated with men’s depression diagnosis. Results underscore the importance of sequential analysis when investigating associations among depression, relationship quality, and couples’ interpersonal behavior

From attitude to intent to action: Predictors of psychological help-seeking behavior among clinically distressed adults

Although many people suffer from mental health concerns, a large proportion of these people do not seek psychological help (Alonso et al., 2009; Clement et al., 2015; Kessler et al., 2003; Thornicroft, 2007; Vogel, Wester & Larson, 2006). Research indicates that public and self-stigma, attitudes toward counseling, and intentions to seek counseling are all important factors in the help-seeking process (Bayer & Peay, 1997; Cooper et al., 2003; Corrigan, 2004; Komiya et al., 2000; Link et al., 2014; Mojtabai, Olfson, & Mechanic, 2002; Sirey et al., 2001; Vogel et al., 2005; Vogel, Wade, & Haake, 2006; Vogel, Wade, & Hackler, 2007). However, one glaring omission exists in the vast majority of this research: very few studies measure actual help-seeking behavior. In addition, most of this research has been conducted with college students, most of whom did not have a current mental health concern. In the present study, I explored psychological help-seeking behavior in a clinically distressed sample of adults. In particular, I explored whether public stigma of help-seeking, self-stigma of help-seeking, and attitudes towards receiving professional psychological help predicted intentions to seek help in a sample of clinically distressed adults. Additionally, I examined these relationships with actual help-seeking behavior. For this study a total of N =125 clinically distressed adults completed two surveys two weeks apart. Results of the hierarchical regression predicting attitudes suggested that self-stigma predicted attitudes above and beyond the other variables entered into the model. Results of the hierarchical regression predicting hypothetical intentions revealed that encouragement and pressure to seek help by friends and family and attitudes toward counseling are more predictive than self-stigma when all variables were entered into the model. Results of a third hierarchical regression predicting actual intentions revealed similar patterns; self-stigma was related to actual intentions but not in the final model, in which ethnicity, social encouragement, and attitudes predicted actual intentions above and beyond the other variables entered into the model. Results of a logistic regression predicting actual behavior (i.e., scheduling or attending an appointment with a mental health professional) suggest that minority ethnicity, greater public stigma, and greater hypothetical intentions predicts actual help-seeking behavior. Results are discussed based on previous research, Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), and Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA). Limitations, implications, and future recommendations are discussed.</p

The Womyn Behind the Counselor: A Panel Discussion of Transitions to a Predominantly White Institution

The purpose of this interactive panel is to educatestaff, faculty, and students on the experiences counseling doctoral students have when transitioning from a racially/ethnically diverse institution or neighborhood to a predominantly White institution (PWI). We hope that our audience may gain a better understanding of how our transition experiences affect our relations with racial/ethnic minority students and our multicultural training experiences on campus. The panel will consist of five doctoral students representing Latina/o, Asian American, East Asian, biracial, and White cultural backgrounds. They will share their unique experiences with identifying with the majority (e.g., predominantly Latina/o or Asian) versus minority racial/ethnic groups, helping racial/ethnic minority students navigate feelings of marginalization at a PWI, and seeking out opportunities to engage with racial/ethnic communities on campus. The moderator will facilitate the panel with prepared questions, but time will also be allotted for questions from the audience. The panelists and moderator will share about a new free and confidential drop-in consultation program that students can use to gain a counselor's perspective and/or learning aboutcounseling.</p