Factors that influence young people's mental health help‐seeking behaviour: a study based on the Health Belief Model
Abstract
Aim To identify key predictors and moderators of mental health 'help-seeking behavior' in adolescents. Background Mental illness is highly prevalent in adolescents and young adults; however, individuals in this demographic group are among the least likely to seek help for such illnesses. Very little quantitative research has examined predictors of help-seeking behaviour in this demographic group. Design A cross-sectional design was used. Methods A group of 180 volunteers between the ages of 17-25 completed a survey designed to measure hypothesized predictors and moderators of help-seeking behaviour. Predictors included a range of health beliefs, personality traits and attitudes. Data were collected in August 2010 and were analysed using two standard and three hierarchical multiple regression analyses. Findings The standard multiple regression analyses revealed that extraversion, perceived benefits of seeking help, perceived barriers to seeking help and social support were direct predictors of help-seeking behaviour. Tests of moderated relationships (using hierarchical multiple regression analyses) indicated that perceived benefits were more important than barriers in predicting help-seeking behaviour. In addition, perceived susceptibility did not predict help-seeking behaviour unless individuals were health conscious to begin with or they believed that they would benefit from help. Conclusion A range of personality traits, attitudes and health beliefs can predict help-seeking…
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The other dependent variable used in this study was an intention to treatment seeking rather than actual help seeking behavior.
“The other dependant variable used in this study was an intention to treatment seeking rather than actual help seeking behavior (O'Connor et al., 2014).”
From Treatment histories, barriers, and preferences for individuals with symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder (2024) · cites this paper as O'Connor et al., 2014
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Aguirre Velasco, A., Cruz, I. S. S., Billings, J., Jimenez, M., & Rowe, S. (2020) · BMC Psychiatry · doi:10.1186/s12888-020-02659-0 · Cited by 736 · see citing works
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- Authors
- O'Connor, P. J., Martin, B., Weeks, C. S., & Ong, L.
- Affiliations
- Queensland University of Technology (AU)
- Corresponding author
- O'Connor, Peter J.
- Venue
- Journal of Advanced Nursing
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2014-04-09
- Volume
- 70
- Issue
- 11
- Pages
- 2577-2587
- ISSN
- 0309-2402 (ISSN-L)
- 1365-2648
- OpenAlex
- W2151225095
- Cited by
- 172
- References
- 6
- Citations by year
- 2026: 10 · 2025: 17 · 2024: 19 · 2023: 14 · 2022: 22 · 2021: 16 · 2020: 10 · 2019: 13 · 2018: 17 · 2017: 16 · 2016: 10 · 2015: 7
- FWCI
- 16.32
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Advanced Nursing (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Mental Health Treatment and Access
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychology and Mental Health
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Suicide and Self-Harm Studies
- Keywords
- help-seeking, adolescent mental health, young adults, Health Belief Model, perceived benefits, perceived barriers, perceived susceptibility, social support, extraversion, personality traits, health beliefs, health promotion
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Adult, Mental Disorders, Cross-Sectional Studies, Humans, Models, Psychological, New South Wales, Patient Acceptance of Health Care, Young Adult
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