A cross-cultural investigation on the likelihood of seekng psychological help among late adolescents: Pathways and predictors

The study investigated pathways and predictors of the likelihood of seeking psychological help among adolescents across cultures. This descriptive study involved a total of 515 adolescents between the age of 15-18 years from the Philippines, India, and United States of America. Questionnaire on Pathways of Seeking Psychological Help, Individualism-Collectivism Scale, Intention of Counseling Seeking Inventory, Self-Concealment Scale, and Attitudes toward Seeking Professional Psychological Help Scale were the instruments used. They were administered to intact classes of students, selected through convinient sampling. Descriptive as well as inferential statistics (one-way ANOVA post hoc analysis, stepwise multiple regression) were used for data analysis. Findings confirm the interrelationship between the recognition of the psychological nature of the problem and the selection of counselors as help providers. Adolescents across cultures are reluctant to seek psychological help. Attitude toward seeking psychological help is the best predictor of the likelihood of seeking psychological help. The variance explained by each sub-constructs (a) the confidence is the mental health profession and its practitioners is 6% (Indians) and 14% (Filipinos), and (b) the recognition of the need for psychotherapeutic help is 13% (Americans). Educational programs must focus on increasing the level of problem recognition and confidence in the mental health profession to promote the utilization of counseling services