DSpace Repository

Adolescent Help-Seeking for Mental Health Problems

Show simple item record

dc.contributor.author Spendelow, Jason Scott
dc.date.accessioned 2008-08-11T03:33:24Z
dc.date.accessioned 2022-10-30T20:05:42Z
dc.date.available 2008-08-11T03:33:24Z
dc.date.available 2022-10-30T20:05:42Z
dc.date.copyright 2004
dc.date.issued 2004
dc.identifier.uri https://ir.wgtn.ac.nz/handle/123456789/26075
dc.description.abstract Help-seeking by young people for depression and alcohol use problems was investigated. High rates of psychiatric disorder exist in this population, but seeking help from others is uncommon. A series of four studies were conducted to investigate the role of several variables in the help-seeking process. Over 1200 participants, mostly aged between 16 and 18 years, completed questionnaires, or took part in focus group discussions. Help-seeking was measured as both an intention and recent behaviour. Results indicated that a combination of demographic, problem, and sociocultural variables impact upon the help-seeking process. Gender and problem type were two particularly important variables. Males reported lower rates of help-seeking compared to females. This could have been a reflection of the expectation for males to be independent and resilient. Higher rates of help-seeking intention and recent behaviour were found for depression, compared to alcohol use problems, possibly because depression was more readily seen as a genuine mental health problem. A number of biases were also found. Compared to self, participants indicated that illness symptoms were more serious, and prognosis was less favourable for others. Participants also reported that negative reactions from others were likely if help was sought. Informal sources of help (e.g., friends, family) were generally preferred over formal sources. The implications of these findings are discussed. en_NZ
dc.format pdf en_NZ
dc.language en_NZ
dc.language.iso en_NZ
dc.publisher Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington en_NZ
dc.subject Adolescence en_NZ
dc.subject Depression in adolescence en_NZ
dc.subject Dual diagnosis in adolescence en_NZ
dc.subject Help-seeking behaviour en_NZ
dc.subject Teenagers en_NZ
dc.subject Alcohol use en_NZ
dc.subject Young adults en_NZ
dc.subject Mental health services en_NZ
dc.subject Youth en_NZ
dc.title Adolescent Help-Seeking for Mental Health Problems en_NZ
dc.type Text en_NZ
vuwschema.type.vuw Awarded Doctoral Thesis en_NZ
thesis.degree.grantor Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington en_NZ
thesis.degree.level Doctoral en_NZ
thesis.degree.name Doctor of Philosophy en_NZ


Files in this item

This item appears in the following Collection(s)

Show simple item record

Search DSpace


Browse

My Account