Citation

Levin ME, Krafft J, Levin C. J. Am. Coll. Health 2018; 66(4): 302-309.

Affiliation

Utah State University , Department of Psychology, 2810░Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/07448481.2018.1440580

PMID

29447600

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This study examined whether self-help (books, websites, mobile apps) increases help seeking for mental health problems among college students by minimizing stigma as a barrier. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: A survey was conducted with 200 college students reporting elevated distress from February to April 2017.

RESULTS: Intentions to use self-help were low, but a significant portion of students unwilling to see mental health professionals intended to use self-help. Greater self-stigma related to lower intentions to seek professional help, but was unrelated to seeking self-help. Similarly, students who only used self-help in the past reported higher self-stigma than those who sought professional treatment in the past. Although stigma was not a barrier for self-help, alternate barriers were identified.

CONCLUSIONS: Offering self-help may increase rates of students receiving help for mental health problems, possibly by offering an alternative for students unwilling to seek in-person therapy due to stigma concerns.

Language: en

Keywords

Stigma; Treatment seeking; University students; eHealth; mHealth