Help-seeking Intention Among Health Science Students

Abstract

Background: Help-seeking is a particularly useful skill for students. Not all students will experience
psychological problems but all students, especially future health professionals, must possess the intention to seek help if the need should arise. Help-seeking intention is an important determinant of help-seeking behavior.

Objectives: The study aimed to determine the presence or absence of psychological help-seeking intention and evaluate the factors which influence it among health science students.

Methodology: A total of 386 health science students from the University of the Philippines Manila (UP Manila) participated in the study. It was a descriptive, cross-sectional survey. Existing validated questionnaires (the General Help-Seeking Questionnaire-Vignette version and the Attitudes to Seeking Professional Psychological Help Scale-Short Version) were used to assess the variables of interest and data was supplemented with key informant interviews.

Results and Conclusions: The study indicated that help-seeking intention was present in the majority of the participants but may be influenced by year level, college course, and type of problem. Participants were more inclined to seek help for others than for themselves despite knowing that help is needed. Results also indicated that attitude toward seeking professional psychological help was positive and may be influenced by college course and type of problem. The most preferred sources of help were friends and classmates, followed closely by parents, relatives/other family members. Recommendations on how to enhance help-seeking intention, especially among those who have none, were discussed.