Social Selection in Seeking Help for Psychological Problems

Abstract

Social selection in seekingcarefor psychological problemsfrom psychiatric services, counselingservices, clergymen, medical services, and otherformal agencies was explored among 1,502 randomly selected university students, and their analysis was partially replicated in a prospective analysis of a subgroup of 274 students who werefollowed up two years later. Special samples were also studied of applicantsJor service from a university psychiatric unit and a counseling center. Sociocultural characteristics, attitudes, knowledge, reference group orientations, and degree of psychological problems all had independent effects on use of helping services. However, some of these variables affected generalized help-seeking behaviors while others had an effect primarily on the specific types of help consulted. While psychological distress plays a major role in seeking help, its influence is largely independent of sociocultural, attitudinal, and reference group factors.