Examining the presence of alexithymic characteristics on an individual’s willingness to seek mental health counseling
Graduation Date
2014
Document Type
Thesis
Program
Other
Program
Thesis (M.A.)--Humboldt State University, Psychology: Counseling, 2014
Committee Chair Name
Emily Sommerman
Committee Chair Affiliation
HSU Faculty or Staff
Keywords
Counseling, Humboldt State University -- Theses -- Psychology, Psychology, Help seeking behavior, Alexithymia, Mental health services, Emotions
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to understand how alexithymic characteristics relate to help seeking behavior. Additionally, this study sought to measure the levels of alexithymic characteristics between men and women and how they related to help seeking behavior in relation to mental health services. The Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) was used to measure alexithymic characteristics and the Inventory of Attitudes toward Seeking Mental Health Services (IASMHS) was used to measure help seeking behavior in relation to mental health services. For this study, 65 individuals (15 men and 50 women) participated. The results show that higher alexithymic characteristics relate to lower scores in help seeking behavior. In this study, no statistically significant difference was found between men and women in their IASMHS scores. Additionally, no significant interaction was found between gender and alexithymic characteristics on the IASMHS. In sum, this means that when people report higher alexithymic scores, they have a lower likelihood of seeking mental health services. This study tries to provide information to counselors as to what might be one of the resons people with alexithymic chaeacteristics do not seek counseling or stay in counseling.
Recommended Citation
Gonzalez Bobadilla, Carlos R., "Examining the presence of alexithymic characteristics on an individual’s willingness to seek mental health counseling" (2014). Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects. 1985.
https://digitalcommons.humboldt.edu/etd/1985
https://scholarworks.calstate.edu/concern/theses/x346d656j