The application of the theory of planned behavior to help-seeking intention in a Chinese society
Abstract
Purpose This study tested the efficacy of Ajzen's theory of planned behavior (TPB) in explaining intention to seek mental health services and compared the traditional TPB model with a TPB partial mediation model. It also aimed to understand factors related to intention to seek mental health services in Macao to inform local policies. Method The present study consisted of two phases: (a) a pilot study to develop belief-based measures used in the main study, and (b) a cross-sectional study to investigate the application of TPB in understanding help-seeking intention. In the main study, 337 Macao residents (age range 18-65) participated in a survey conducted in the community. Results The TPB partial mediation model was better than the traditional TPB model in explaining help-seeking intention in Macao. The model also suggested that attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control were all significant predictors of help-seeking intention. However, symptom severity, prior help-seeking, and gender did not significantly directly predict help-seeking intention. Conclusion Preference for the TPB partial mediation model may be culturally relevant. The implications of the findings are discussed in relation to the salient beliefs about help-seeking. Limitations and recommendations for future research are provided.
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Five cross-sectional papers included a psychometric study or elicitation study that designed and/or evaluated measures to assess TPB variables [36, 50, 53, 54, 59].
“Five of the cross-sectional papers included a psychometric study or elicitation study, which designed and/or evaluated measures to assess TPB variables, for use in the main cross-sectional study [36, 50, 53, 54, 59].”
From Explaining adults’ mental health help-seeking through the lens of the theory of planned behavior: A scoping review (2022) · cites this paper as [50]
Cultural factors such as race, ethnicity, and religion have been shown to influence help-seeking intentions and behavior.
“Indeed, cultural factors such as race, ethnicity, and religion have been shown to influence help-seeking intentions and behavior.”
From Explaining adults’ mental health help-seeking through the lens of the theory of planned behavior: A scoping review (2022) · cites this paper as [50]
Mental health problems are commonly stigmatized in Chinese societies, which hinders people's intentions to seek help for fear of social rejection.
“For example, mental health problems are commonly stigmatized in Chinese societies, which hinders people’s intentions to seek help for fear of social rejection [50, 64].”
From Explaining adults’ mental health help-seeking through the lens of the theory of planned behavior: A scoping review (2022) · cites this paper as [50]
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References 53 · Cited by 88
- Authors
- Mak, H. W., & Davis, J. M.
- Affiliations
- University of Macau (MO)
- Charles Darwin University (AU)
- Corresponding author
- Mak, Hio Wa
- ORCID
- Mak, Hio Wa
- Venue
- Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology
- Published
- 2013-11-14
- Volume
- 49
- Issue
- 9
- Pages
- 1501-1515
- ISSN
- 0933-7954 (ISSN-L)
- 1433-9285
- OpenAlex
- W2072415410
- Cited by
- 88
- References
- 53
- Citations by year
- 2026: 5 · 2025: 12 · 2024: 9 · 2023: 6 · 2022: 18 · 2021: 7 · 2020: 8 · 2019: 6 · 2018: 6 · 2017: 4 · 2016: 5 · 2015: 2
- FWCI
- 3.50
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Update notices
- correction (2013-12-14)
- Open access
- closed
- Licence
- www.springer.com/tdm (tdm)
- Locations
- Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Mental Health Treatment and Access
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Behavioral Health and Interventions
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Suicide and Self-Harm Studies
- Keywords
- theory of planned behavior, help-seeking intentions, mental health service utilization, attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, cultural relevance, Macau, Chinese society, mental health policy
- MeSH terms
- Adult, China, Cross-Sectional Studies, Female, Humans, Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice, Male, Mental Health Services, Middle Aged, Patient Acceptance of Health Care, Pilot Projects, Psychological Theory, Intention, Young Adult
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