Chinese and North American college students' attitudes toward seeking professional psychological help : gender and ethnic comparisons

Author

Nels Atkinson

Graduation Date

2007

Document Type

Thesis

Program

Other

Program

Thesis (M.A.)--Psychology (Counseling), Humboldt State University, 2007

Committee Chair Name

Lou Ann Wieand

Committee Chair Affiliation

HSU Faculty or Staff

Keywords

Chinese, Humboldt State University -- Theses -- Psychology, North American, Gender, Help Seeking Attitudes

Abstract

Through a multicultural perspective the counseling field in North America is adjusting itself to meet the demands of cultural diversity and a global context. The methods and systems of North American counseling have also begun to influence the mental health systems of other countries. As we change our own system and as other countries adopt and adapt similar systems, the attitudes that people have towards seeking help from professionals may guide outreach education, and also help clinicians understand the social, cognitive, and emotional process diverse clients go through when seeking help. This study examined differences in attitudes toward seeking help from mental health professionals for North American college students in California and Chinese college students in China. The focus of the study was on gender and cultural differences between groups. Results replicate consistent findings for gender group differences men being less likely than women to endorse positive help seeking attitudes. This study further adds to a new body of literature on cross national differences between Chinese and American college students, Chinese being less likely than American’s to endorse positive attitudes towards seeking help from professionals for mental health issues. Furthermore, both gender and national differences were consistent on overall attitude toward seeking help from mental health professionals as well as the specific attitudes of psychological openness, help-seeking propensity, and indifference to stigma with Chinese national group and male gender group endorsing less positive attitudes. The cultural and psychological implications of these findings are discussed and it was concluded that more research needs to done on the importance of cultural and gender differences when considering the cross national influences in the mental health professions between China and the United States. Finally it is recommended that more research be done making more specific hypothesis in regards to potential mediating variables for the differences in help seeking behavior.

https://scholarworks.calstate.edu/concern/theses/73666695q

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