University Students' Perceptions About Psychological Help Seeking: A Qualitative Study

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Year-Number: 2019-Volume 11, Issue 1
Yayımlanma Tarihi: null
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Number of pages: 123-139
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Abstract

This study aims to investigate university students’ perception about psychological help seeking. In this context, the data obtained from the 644 students, namely 216 male and 424 female. Students were asked to complete a survey including a demographic questionnaire and open-ended questions concerning thought and feelings about seeking psychological help. Gathered data have been analyzed by using the inductive method via NVivo programme. The study findings shows that the students’ opinions for seeking psychological help are gathered under seven main themes that include economic factors, perception errors, counselors’ competency, self-disclosure, experience of previous seeking help, alternative coping strategies and expected benefit from therapy. Students stated they have negative help seeking attitudes due to the fact that they think counseling centers are expensive, there is no competent counselor and they do not believe therapy is helpful for their problems. In addition, Findings indicated that students have misinformation about how to help them.

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