2008;69:2640-2640.
Individual and familial influences on psychological functioning and help-seeking behavior of Black college students.
Tina Maria Russell
UIID-AD: 2116
Abstract
National research data indicates there is a higher prevalence of mental illness among African Americans than White Americans (U.S. Public Health Service, Office of the Surgeon General, 2001). There is also an increasing concern for the severity of problems presented at college counseling centers (Gallagher, 2006). Despite the presence of mental illness, utilization studies have shown an underrepresentation of African Americans in mental health agencies (Bonner 1997; Snowden, 1998; Tomlinson & Cope, 1988). Specifically, working and middle-class African Americans were especially underrepresented in the outpatient settings (Snowden, 1998). Research has indicated many factors that may contribute to why African Americans do or do not seek help such as cultural mistrust (Nickerson, Helms & Terrell, 1994; Washington, 1987), use of extended family (Snowden, 2001; Washington, 1987; White, 1984; Wilson & Stith, 1991), and stigma (Atkinson, Morten, & Sue 1998; Nickerson, Helms, and Terrell, 1994). Using archival data, this study identifies individual and family influences on help seeking behavior among college students at a historically Black university (HBCU). Specifically, the effects of psychological functioning, family help seeking behavior, and parental education on student help seeking attitudes and behaviors were investigated. Psychological functioning was determined by the current endorsement of symptoms as measured by the Brief Symptom Inventory. Family help seeking behavior was determined by a positive response to a question that specifically asks if an immediate family member has ever received psychiatric or psychological counseling. Likewise, student help seeking attitude and behavior was assessed by specific questions as to whether they have considered seeking help, or if they have sought help from a professional mental health service. Parental education was defined categorically as some high school, a high school diploma, some college, a college degree, or graduate degree. The data were analyzed using chi-square analysis and logistic regression. Results indicate that family help seeking is associated with student help seeking behavior. Higher levels of mother's education were associated with student help seeking behavior. Significantly less men than women were found that would consider seeking counseling. Psychological functioning variables were found to be associated with the variance among gender and help seeking. Implications from the research findings are discussed for counseling psychology clinicians and researchers. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)
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