ERIC Number: EJ1170616
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2018
Pages: 12
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0306-9885
EISSN: N/A
Barriers to Support: A Qualitative Exploration into the Help-Seeking and Avoidance Factors of Young Adults
Seamark, Daniel; Gabriel, Lynne
British Journal of Guidance & Counselling, v46 n1 p120-131 2018
The current research explores young adults' beliefs, awareness and understanding surrounding help-seeking behaviour in relation to barriers preventing access to counselling support. The literature suggests that several barriers, such as a lack of awareness, stigma and gender roles, will have a negative influence on help-seeking. To complement and expand on the substantial body of quantitative research on help-seeking, the present research undertook a qualitative, phenomenological study, in order to explore meaning and understanding in relation to help-seeking behaviours. The sample consisted of six college psychology students, who participated in one-to-one semi-structured interviews. Discourse analysis was used to analyse the interview transcripts. The results suggested gender roles, awareness and perception of help, social and cultural expectations/norms, and risk of stigma and rejection, as the significant barriers to help-seeking behaviour. It is suggested that future research could focus on how to reduce these barriers, thus improving help-seeking opportunities for young adults.
Descriptors: Young Adults, Help Seeking, Barriers, Qualitative Research, Phenomenology, College Students, Semi Structured Interviews, Discourse Analysis, Sex Role, Behavior Standards, Social Behavior, Cultural Influences, Risk, Student Attitudes, Gender Differences, Age Differences, Social Influences, Foreign Countries
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: United Kingdom (England)
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A