Determinants of Psychological Help-Seeking Intentions of University Students in Ghana

Abstract

Non-utilization of mental health resources is a well-documented problem among adolescents and young adults. However, little is known about the psychological help-seeking intentions of young adults in Ghana. The aim of this study was to examine the predictors of psychological help-seeking intentions among university students in Accra, Ghana (N=270). Using a cross-sectional survey, data was collected using standardised questionnaires (Attitudes Toward Seeking Professional Psychological Help Scale [ATSPPH], Self-Stigma of Seeking Help [SSOSH], Social Stigma of Receiving Psychological Help Scale [SSRPH] and Perceived Social Support [MSPSS]) from students in a public university on the determinants of intentions of seeking psychological help. Data was analyzed using standard multiple regression. Results indicated that for this population, the intention of seeking psychological help was moderate, but varied according to the year of study. Out of the four (4) predictors, ATSPPH, SSOSH and Perceived Social Support significantly predicted intentions to seeking psychological help. Key findings and practical implications for research and psychological interventions are discussed.

Prevalence of suicidal behaviour among nursing and midwifery college students in Ghana

“…More pointedly, the findings on the prevalence estimates of suicidal behaviour in this study are consistent with the global situation as found in the meta‐analysis by Mortier, Cuijpers et al (). Put together, the prevalence estimates of suicidal behaviour and risk found in this study resonate with recent calls and campaigns from Ghana (Andoh‐Arthur, Asante, & Osafo, ) and elsewhere (Mortali & Moutier, ; Pace, Silk, Nazione, Fournier, & Collins‐Eaglin, ) for the improvement of on‐site counselling services to facilitate mental health help‐seeking by students on college campuses. To this end, emphasis has been placed on mental health literacy and stigma reduction, as doing this has the potential of encouraging students, particularly, males, to seek professional help (Rafal, Gatto, & DeBate, ).…”

Stigma, attitudes, and intentions to seek mental health services in college student-athletes

“…Further, in a sample of Irish college students, self-stigma predicted non-help seeking intentions, whereas public stigma did not (Lally, O'Conghaile, Quigley, Bainbridge, & McDonald, 2013). Public stigma also did not predict help-seeking attitudes or intentions in Ghanaian college students (Andoh-Arthur et al, 2015) and in one study of Turkish college students (Topkaya, 2014). However, self-stigma was a significant predictor of help seeking behaviors with the Ghanaian and Turkish samples.…”

“…Although many studies examine the impact of stigma through attitudes (e.g., , several studies have left out the attitude link. These studies have typically found that self-stigma significantly predicts help-seeking intentions (e.g., Andoh-Arthur, Asante, & Osafo, 2015;Currier et al, 2017;Lally et al, 2013;Lannin et al, 2015). Once more, public stigma has typically not shown a direct association with help-seeking intentions (e.g., Andoh-Arthur et al, 2015;Lally et al, 2013).…”

Suicide among university students: prevalence, risks and protective factors

“…Quarshie et al ( 2019 ) provided germinal insights on suicide among nursing and midwifery students. Other studies, while not specifically focusing on suicide behaviour, found alarming prevalence rates of depression (mild, moderate and severe), inadequate social support, substance abuse, self-stigma and traumatic life events among university students (Andoh-Arthur, Oppong Asante, & Osafo, 2015 ; Oppong Asante & Andoh-Arthur, 2015 ). Anxiety, loneliness, poor self-esteem, anger management problems (Peltzer, Kleintjes, Wyk, Thompson, & Mashego, 2008 ) and academic-related challenges that ultimately impede subjective wellbeing have also been found (Oppong Asante, Kugbey, Osafo, Quarshie, & Sarfo, 2017 ) and potentially form the genesis of psychological distress and poor mental health as contributors to suicidal behaviour.…”