Perceived Causes of Mental Health Problems and Help-Seeking Behavior among University Students in Ethiopia

Alemu, Yirgalem

doi:10.1007/s10447-013-9203-y

Cited by 6 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…It is interesting, though, that this was the case with psychology students who might be expected to be more informed and attuned to the importance and value of help-seeking. This suggests something of a disconnect between classroom learning and self-application of knowledge and is rather inconsistent with evidence from many contexts that show a positive relationship between knowledge of mental/ psychological health and psychological help-seeking intentions (Alemu 2014).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 94%

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

Andoh–Arthur

Asante

Osafo

2015

Int J Adv Counselling

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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.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 94%

“…Within sub-Saharan Africa, a study by Alemu (2014) found that Ethiopian university students had positive attitudes towards help-seeking. However, the study did not examine the predictors of intentions towards help-seeking.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

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

Andoh–Arthur

Asante

Osafo

2015

Int J Adv Counselling

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“…For example, studies conducted in Jordan and U.S. revealed that most university students held positive attitudes toward seeking psychological help for depression (Aldalaykeh et al, 2019;Bohon et al, 2016;Mesidor & Sly, 2014). Similarly, studies conducted in Ghana, Ethiopia, and Botswana indicated that most students supported seeking psychological help specifically for depression (Alemu, 2014;Andoh-Arthur et al, 2015;Pheko et al, 2013). However, the previous studies mentioned above largely reported the findings on positive attitudes toward seeking psychological help, mainly for mental health problems.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…Various studies have examined attitudes toward seeking psychological help. Some of these studies have indicated that university students held positive attitudes toward seeking psychological help (Aldalaykeh et al, 2019; Alemu, 2014; Çebi, 2009; Mesidor & Sly, 2014; Pheko et al, 2013; Yelpaze & Ceyhan, 2020). In particular, Yelpaze and Ceyhan (2020) examined Turking university students’ attitudes toward seeking psychological help.…”

Section: University Students’ Attitudes Toward Seeking Psychological ...mentioning

confidence: 99%

University Students’ Attitudes Toward Seeking Psychological Help for Psycho-Social Problems in Two Selected Public Universities in Tanzania: A Mixed Methods Study

2023

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Universities worldwide have established psychological help services to help students deal with ever-growing psycho-social problems. However, evidence shows that students do not prefer using the available services. Nevertheless, the available evidence offers limited information about university students’ attitudes toward seeking psychological help in Tanzania. Thus, the present study examined university students’ attitudes toward seeking psychological help for psycho-social problems. Data were collected from 740 students using questionnaires and focus group discussions. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze students’ help-seeking attitudes. The independent sample t-test was used to determine the difference in students’ attitudes by age, sex, and year of study. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare the means of attitudes by students’ field of study. Thematic analysis technique guided the analysis of FGDs data. The findings revealed that most university students had positive attitudes toward seeking psychological help for the studied psycho-social problems. The FGDs findings revealed that students had positive attitudes mainly because they could get relief from the problems they faced, the presence of confidentiality to information shared, and the perceived competence of help service providers. Furthermore, the findings indicated a statistically significant difference in attitude scores for female students ( M = 40.56, SD = 3.78) and male students ( M = 39.64, SD = 4.62; t (723) = 2.9, p = 0.004, two-tailed). Moreover, university students’ attitudes differed significantly by fields of study, F (3, 723) = 8.12, p < .001. Promoting positive help-seeking attitudes among students might improve their utilization of psychological help services.

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“…Previous studies in Ethiopia have found most students are interested in using professional mental health care. 20 However, a number of them do not receive mental health care despite its availability. 21 A significant number of these students receive help from informal sources, such as family, friends, relatives, herbalists, and religious leaders.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Explanatory Models for Mental Distress Among University Students in Ethiopia: A Qualitative Study

Negash¹,

Ahmed²,

Medhin³

et al. 2021

PRBM

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Background: Socio-culturally determined processes account for how individuals give meanings to health, illness, causal attributions, expectations from treatment, and related outcomes. There is limited evidence of explanatory models for mental distress among higher education institutions in Ethiopia. The objective of this study was to explore the explanatory models for mental distress among Wolaita Sodo University. Methods: The current study used a phenomenological research approach, and we collected data from 21 students. The participants were purposively recruited based on eligibility criteria. Semi-structured interviews were conducted from December 2017 to January 2018 using the Short Explanatory Models Interview. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed into the Amharic language and translated into English. Data were analyzed using framework analysis with the assistance of open code software 4.02. Results: Most students experienced symptoms of being anxious, fatigue, headaches and feelings of hopelessness. They labeled these symptoms like anxiety or stress. The most commonly reported causal explanations were psychosocial factors. Students perceived that their anxiety or stress was severe that mainly affected their mind, which in turn impacted their interactions with others, academic result, emotions and motivation to study. Almost all the students received care from informal sources, although they wanted to receive care from mental health professionals. They managed their mental distress using positive as well as negative coping strategies. Conclusion:The policy implication of our findings is that mental health interventions in higher education institutions in Ethiopia should take into account the explanatory models of students' psychological distress.

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Perceived Causes of Mental Health Problems and Help-Seeking Behavior among University Students in Ethiopia

Cited by 6 publications

References 17 publications

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

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

University Students’ Attitudes Toward Seeking Psychological Help for Psycho-Social Problems in Two Selected Public Universities in Tanzania: A Mixed Methods Study

Explanatory Models for Mental Distress Among University Students in Ethiopia: A Qualitative Study

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