ERIC Number: EJ795957
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2008-Jul
Pages: 17
Abstractor: Author
Reference Count: 0
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0018-1560
International Student Use of University Health and Counselling Services
Russell, Jean; Thomson, Garry; Rosenthal, Doreen
Higher Education: The International Journal of Higher Education and Educational Planning, v56 n1 p59-75 Jul 2008
A large sample of international students attending an Australian metropolitan university provided data concerning use of university health and counselling services--their perceived need for help, resultant help-seeking, satisfaction with help given, explanations for not seeking help when in need, and variables that predicted help-seeking. Using as criterion the individual's perceived need for help, we found students were under-utilizing both health and counselling services. Those who did seek help evaluated their experiences positively. The gap between need and action is a concern. Students explained failure to act in terms of insufficient seriousness of problems, lack of information about services and, to a lesser extent, doubts and discomfort about the services. Contrary to views commonly expressed in the literature, student perceptions and responses showed few differences based on cultural background. Within-person variables played a stronger role than culture in accounting for students' help-seeking decisions.
Descriptors: Foreign Students, Student Attitudes, Cultural Background, Health Services, Counseling Services, Foreign Countries, College Students, Help Seeking, Predictor Variables, Cultural Differences, Individual Differences
Springer. 233 Spring Street, New York, NY 10013. Tel: 800-777-4643; Tel: 212-460-1500; Fax: 212-348-4505; e-mail: service-ny@springer.com; Web site: http://www.springerlink.com
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers: Australia

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