Psychological help-seeking behavior in college students with different genders

Abstract

Objective:To explore the sex features of decision-making in psychological help-seeking behavior in counseling context by comparing the differences of context-related factors between male and female students,which might be considered before their help-seeking behavior,and to give some gender-perspective advices to mental health service center of college.Methods:From 5 colleges,352 students who had potential needs but not helpseeking behavior were selected as non-help-seeking group,and 99 students who first sought help from mental health center from 4 of the 5 colleges,which established fully equipped mental health center,were selected as help-seeking group.They were assessed with the Self Stigma of Seeking Help Scale(SSOSH),Disclosure Expectation scale(DES),Self Efficiency as a Client Questionnaire(revised)(SECQ-R),Attitude Toward Seeking Help from Counselor(ATSHC),Perceived Causal Control of Mental Health Distress Questionnaire(PCCMDQ),and Indirect Helpseeking Experiences Questionnaire(IHSEQ).Results:There was no significant difference in attitude toward seeking help from counselors between males and females(P > 0.05).In non-help-seeking group,female students had higher DES scores [(13.8 ± 2.4)vs.(12.7 ± 2.7),(13.0 ± 3.2)vs.(11.7 ± 3.0)] and lower scores of SECQ-R and PCCMDQ [(26.9 ± 4.5)vs.(28.1 ± 4.6),(4.2 ± 0.8)vs.(4.5 ± 0.8)] than male students(Ps < 0.01).In helpseeking group,male students showed significant higher scores on SSOSH and anticipated risk of DES than their female counterpart[(12.4 ± 4.2)vs.(10.6 ± 3.9),(12.3 ± 3.7)vs.(10.2 ± 3.0),P < 0.05].The regression analysis showed that the scores of PCCMDQ and IHSEQ could predict help-seeking behavior of both male and female students.Negative correlation was showed between PCCMDQ and behavior(B =-0.86,-1.31),positive correlation showed between IHSEQ and behavior(B = 0.80,1.36).However,scores on anticipated risk of DES and SECQ-R were strong predictors particularly for female students(B =-0.31,0.14),and scores on anticipated utility of DES,ATSHC for male students(B = 0.18,0.10).Cox and Snell Rxwere 0.376 and 0.239respectively.Conclusion:It suggests that both male and female students have positive attitude toward seeking help from counselor,and the lower sense of causal control and more indirect help-seeking experiences could promote both male and female students’ help-seeking behaviors.For female students,more sense of self-efficiency as a client and less anticipated risk on disclosure to counselor could promote their help-seeking behavior.Male students could benefit more from positive anticipated utility and attitude toward help-seeking which could promote their behavior.