The Effects of Stigma on Determinants of Mental Health Help-Seeking Behaviors Among Male College Students: An Application of the Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills Model

Exploring the mental health education policies of Chinese college students: based on policy text analysis and PMC-Index model

Introduction

College students' mental health education is crucial for holistic individual development and societal quality. It shapes well-rounded personalities, fosters innovation, and cultivates responsible citizens, contributing to social stability and national development. Our research aims to establish an evaluation system for college student mental health education policies based on the Policy Modeling Consistency Index (PMC-Index) model and text mining techniques, quantitatively assessing 15 representative policies.

Method

This paper first retrieves policy documents through specialized policy databases and government websites, excluding policies that have already expired or become invalid. The sample selections of this research range from 2001 to 2024, including national guidelines and specific actions. Referring to the above steps of policy effectiveness evaluation, our research comprehensively analyses the implementation effectiveness of the foregoing policies regarding mental health curricula, service systems, crisis intervention, and family cooperation. In the following, based on 10 major variables, 38 sub-variables are constructed with a binary coding system to quantify the content of policy for objectivity. Then, the ROSTCM 6.0 software is used for text segmentation and word frequency statistics, meanwhile, keywords and semantic networks of core policies will be considered for analysis. Subsequently, the PMC-Index is computed based on the multi-input-output matrix and a diagram of the PMC-Surface is drawn with the help of MATLAB to express policy consistency and deficiencies in different dimensions intuitively.

Results

Among the 15 policies, 11 exhibit Great Consistency (GC), and 4 fall under Acceptable Consistency (AC). Higher scores are found in Policy Function (X6), Policy Evaluation (X8), and Policy Goals (X9), indicating practical implementation and clear guidance. However, lower scores in Policy Nature (X1), Policy Timeliness (X2), Policy Issuing Agency (X3), and Policy Object (X4) reveal deficiencies in policy innovation, long-term planning, and target group coverage. Particularly, short-term policies lack sustainability, limiting their long-term effectiveness in supporting students' mental health. Through PMC-Surface analysis, it is found that lower scores in timeliness and adaptability to target groups are primary factors contributing to surface depressions in the diagram, suggesting that these policies struggle to meet the diverse needs of different types of higher education institutions. The research also highlights significant areas for improvement in resource allocation, support system construction, and personalized mental health services. Some policies fail to address regional disparities, with weaker implementation in underdeveloped areas and insufficient safeguard mechanisms.

Discussion

In the future, long-term planning for policy optimization is expected, in which priority would be given to localized resource allocation and close collaboration among schools, families, and society to ensure the comprehensiveness and sustainability of mental health education services. The research has identified certain strengths and weaknesses in the policies concerning mental health education for college students in China, thus providing theoretical references and specific recommendations that can be effectively implemented in higher education institutions.

The Mental Health Literacy and Stigma Scale-Bilingual Cultural Adaptation: Validity and Reliability Pilot Study in Nursing Students

AIM

To describe and evaluate the psychometric properties (reliability and construct validity) of the Mental Health Literacy and Stigma Scale-Bilingual (MHLaSS-B).

DESIGN

This is a methodological study designed in a convenience sample of 271 Portuguese and Spanish nursing students who volunteered to participate in the research.

METHODS

The Mental Health Literacy and Stigma Scale-Bilingual version (Spanish and Portuguese) was used for data collection. MHLaSS-B intercultural adaptation followed three stages: translation, back-translation and pilot test and the thinking-aloud techniques. Content validity was performed by Content Validity Index and Modified Kappa statistic. Construct validity and reliability tests were performed. Internal consistency was assessed by Cronbach's alpha. Data were analysed using SPSS programs. Ethics committee approval and permission from the institution involved were obtained.

RESULTS

The MHLaSS-B has 28 items of one-factor structure. Cronbach's alpha was 0.702. The cumulative variance explained was 23.14%. Respondents show High literacy and Low Stigma (M = 23.4).

PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTIONS

The availability of the MHLaSS-B allows the general population of Portugal and Spain to have a versatile instrument for assessing stigma and MHL. The MHLaSS-B presents good psychometric properties, and it can be a useful tool for novice health workers to better understand the aspects they should pay attention to manage MHL and stigma successfully. The MHLaSS-B is a reliable, adaptable instrument that is now available and it can be used in investigation, teaching and clinical practice.

Mental Health Awareness: Stigma and Help-Seeking Among Portuguese College Students

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Help-seeking-that is, the attempt to attain external help for mental health, be it from formal or informal sources-can be described as an adaptive coping process. Mental illness stigma is the most frequently identified barrier that prevents students from seeking psychological help. This study analyzed college students' beliefs about mental illness and attitudes toward formal psychological help-seeking.

METHODS

Two hundred and eighty-two students from the first and third undergraduate years of Psychology, Sociology, Fashion Design, and Sports Science courses participated. The majority of the sample (75.4%) was female, while only 24.6% was male, with a mean age of 20.04 years. The scales used were the Inventory of Beliefs about Mental Illness (IBMI), the Inventory of Attitudes Toward Seeking Mental Health Services (IATSMHS), and a sociodemographic questionnaire.

RESULTS

The results revealed that females, third-year students, and Psychology students had fewer stigmatizing beliefs about mental illness and more positive attitudes towards help-seeking. Moreover, there were statistically significant differences in beliefs and attitudes in relation to psychological support and familiarity with mental illness. We also glimpsed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on students' mental health, and observed a change in opinions and attitudes toward mental illness during this period. Correlation analysis showed negative correlations between stigmatizing beliefs and attitudes toward seeking help. Finally, a cluster analysis identified two profiles of individuals that reflected different levels of stigma and help-seeking attitudes.

CONCLUSIONS

This study delineated two distinct groups of students, which is relevant as it allows us to trace profiles to outline more uniform intervention groups and, in turn, implement new and improved interventions that are better adapted to the specific needs of college students.

An integrated empirical and computational study to decipher help-seeking behaviors and vocal stigma

BACKGROUND

Professional voice users often experience stigma associated with voice disorders and are reluctant to seek medical help. This study deployed empirical and computational tools to (1) quantify the experience of vocal stigma and help-seeking behaviors in performers; and (2) predict their modulations with peer influences in social networks.

METHODS

Experience of vocal stigma and information-motivation-behavioral (IMB) skills were prospectively profiled using online surveys from a total of 403 Canadians (200 singers and actors and 203 controls). Data were used to formulate an agent-based network model of social interactions on vocal stigma (self-stigma and social-stigma) and help-seeking behaviors. Network analysis was performed to evaluate the effect of social network structure on the flow of IMB among virtual agents.

RESULTS

Larger social networks are more likely to contribute to an increase in vocal stigma. For small social networks, total stigma is reduced with higher total IMB but not much so for large networks. For agents with high social-stigma and risk for voice disorder, their vocal stigma is resistant to large changes in IMB ( > 2 standard deviations). Agents with extreme IMB and stigma values are likely to polarize their networks faster in larger social groups.

CONCLUSIONS

We integrated empirical surveys and computational techniques to contextualize vocal stigma and IMB beyond theory and to quantify the interaction among stigma, health-seeking behavior and influence of social interactions. This work establishes an effective, predictable experimental platform to provide scientific evidence in developing interventions to reduce health stigma in voice disorders and other medical conditions.

The development and evolution of the research topic on the mental health of college students: A bibliometric review based on CiteSpace and VOSviewer

Background

With the advances in society and in response to changing times, college students have had to face multiple challenges. These challenges frequently affect the mental health of college students, leading to significant consequences for their social lives, personal well-being, and academic achievements, thereby attracting extensive societal attention. Therefore, examining the current status of research topics related to the mental health of college students can assist academia in dissecting the influencing factors and seeking solutions at their source or through early intervention. This can contribute to a better understanding of and effectively address this challenge.

Method

CiteSpace and VOSviewer were used to conduct a bibliometric analysis of 1609 journal articles indexed in the Web of Science (WoS) database over the past two decades (2000-2022), which helped identify the current state of research and hot topics in the field based on development trends. Furthermore, this study analyzes and discusses the core authors, high-productivity countries and organizations, key journals, and keyword clustering in this field. This study clarifies the current research landscape, analyzes evolving trends based on developmental trajectories, and identifies forefront research hotspots. This study provides scholars with reference research directions and ideas for conducting subsequent studies.

Results

Since the beginning of the 21st century, research on college students' mental health has increased, especially in the past three years, and due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and online distance learning, the number of publications has increased rapidly. With the increase in attention and publication volume, the countries and organizations contributing papers as well as core journals have all started to take shape. Cluster and evolution analyses found that several stable research topics have been formed in this research field, and many new and diverse topics are continuously emerging with time.

Conclusion

and prospect: The findings prove that the field of college students' mental health has begun to take shape, gradually shifting from conceptual research to the implementation of specific interventions. However, whether specific interventions are effective and how effective they are require further investigation.

The socio-ecological determinants of help-seeking practices and healthcare access among young men: a systematic review

Delayed engagement with health services is a key contributor to poorer health outcomes experienced by men. Patterns of health service usage which reduce the opportunity for disease prevention and health promotion appear to be especially prominent amongst young men. To identify the multiple and intersecting determinants of young men's help-seeking practices and health services usage, this review uses the social ecological model (SEM) to guide a critical synthesis of the literature on barriers and facilitators experienced by young men in accessing health services. A systematic review was conducted across five databases (MEDLINE, Embase, PsychINFO, CINAHL and Scopus). Included studies presented primary data regarding young men's (12-24 years) barriers and/or facilitators to seeking and accessing health care. Thirty-one studies (24 qualitative and 7 quantitative) underwent data extraction, quality appraisal and thematic analysis under the guiding framework of the SEM. Seven key themes were constructed, encapsulating the perceived barriers and facilitators to help-seeking and accessing health care experienced by young men, including masculine attitudes, health literacy, social pressure, service accessibility, economic factors, service characteristics and cultural attitudes. These findings highlight the complex interplay between the individual, interpersonal, organizational and societal factors impacting young men's healthcare engagement. They also illuminate avenues for multifaceted, context-specific interventions to enhance healthcare accessibility for this group, including addressing health literacy gaps, providing culturally sensitive care and reducing cost barriers.

A Chinese help-seeking model for psychological distress in primary care: An adaptation of Andersen's Behavioral Model of Health Services Use

Help-seeking for depression and anxiety disorders from primary care physicians in Western countries is at three times the rate of China. Western help-seeking models for common mental disorders have limitations in the Chinese settings. This article argues that an adapted model based on Andersen's Behavioral Model of Health Services Use could be an appropriate tool to better understand patients' help-seeking behaviors and improve outcomes. We applied a narrative review approach to integrate research findings from China into Andersen's model to generate a model that fits the Chinese context. We found 39 relevant articles in PubMed, MEDLINE, and Chinese journal databases from 1999 to 2022. Findings were mapped onto predisposing, enabling, and need factors of the model. This model emphasizes that predisposing factors including demographics, social norms, and health beliefs influence help-seeking preferences. Mental health service users in China tend to be older and female. Chinese generally have high concern about psychotropic medications, and social norms that consider psychological distress a personal weakness may discourage help-seeking. However, help-seeking can be enhanced by enabling factors in the health system, including training of primary care physicians, longer consultation time, and continuity of care. Need factors for treatment increase with the severity of distress symptoms, and doctor's skills and attitudes in recognizing psychosomatic symptoms. While predisposing factors are relatively hard to change, enabling factors in the health system and need factors for treatment can be targeted by enhancing the role of family doctors and training in mental health.

Prediction of cervical cancer screening: application of the information-motivation-behavioral skills model

INTRODUCTION

Screening is an effective method for preventing cervical cancer. The present study aimed to determine the predictability of cervical cancer screening using the information-motivation-behavioral skills (IMB) model, as this model can help understand the factors that influence health-related behaviors.

METHOD

The present cross-sectional study examined 310 women aged 20 to 60 in Isfahan, Iran, between 2020 and 2021. To this end, comprehensive health centers and gynecology clinics of hospitals were randomly selected by lot. Women who met the study's inclusion criteria were selected via convenience sampling. An IMB skills questionnaire developed by researchers comprised the data collection tool. The data were analyzed using SPSS 22 software, descriptive and regression tests, and AMOS 24.0 software.

FINDINGS

Approximately 18.1% of the participants had never undergone routine cervical cancer screening. The regression model results indicated that the model components accurately predicted regular cervical cancer screening (P < 0.00). Path analysis revealed that information (β = 0.05, P = 0.002), motivation (β = 0.187, P = 0.026), and behavioral skills (β = 0.95, P < 0.001) were directly associated with regular cervical cancer screening. Furthermore, behavioral skills had the greatest direct effect on regular cervical cancer screening.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

The results demonstrated that the IMB model accurately predicted cervical cancer screening. Therefore, it is possible to improve cervical cancer screening in women by designing and implementing interventions based on this model's components, particularly those that improve behavioral skills.

Knowledge of and satisfaction with a behavioral intervention team at a large urban southeastern university

Background: Campus behavioral intervention teams (BITs) provide early identification of students and/or situations that may be a risk to the community, as well as determine and implement intervention plans for a safe resolution. Methods: An evaluation of 529 faculty and staff was conducted at a large urban, southeastern research university to assess BIT knowledge, triggers for referral, referral self-efficacy, referrals, and satisfaction regarding said university's BIT (Students of Concern Assistance Team, otherwise known as SOCAT). Results: Findings revealed low levels of knowledge, self-efficacy, and referrals among faculty and staff. Utilization of SOCAT resulted in high levels of satisfaction among the process and follow-up outcomes. Discussion: Findings from this study will guide future implementation by highlighting strategies to enhance the referrals to and utility of BITs on college campuses and identifying best practices in improving faculty and staff satisfaction with the referral system process for BITs.

The role of psychological distress, stigma and coping strategies on help-seeking intentions in a sample of Italian college students

BACKGROUND

Mental health issues are common among university students, but the latter are unlikely to seek professional help even when mental health services are available. Coping strategies, stigma and psychological distress are often considered as factors that can affect help-seeking intentions in university students.

METHODS

This study aimed to determine the role of coping strategies, stigma and psychological distress on the intentions to seek professional help for psychological problems. All students (N = 13,886) from an Italian medium-sized university were asked to participate in a multidimensional online survey and 3754 (27.1%) agreed to participate. A Structural Equation Modelling approach was applied to explore the simultaneous direct and indirect effects of distress, stigma and coping strategies on professional help-seeking intentions.

RESULTS

Results showed that students were not very likely to seek professional help and, through the Structural Equation Model, psychological distress was found to be positively correlated with coping strategies, which in turn was negatively associated with the stigma of seeking help. The latter was negatively associated with professional help-seeking intentions. These effects suggest that students with significant psychological distress use coping strategies to face the stigma of seeking help: the lower the stigma of seeking help, the higher the chance of developing intentions to seek professional help.

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests the importance of implementing programs to encourage college students to seek help, including measures that foster a stigma-free environment, reduce psychological distress and promote the use of adaptive coping strategies. Interventions should be focused firstly on self-stigma and secondly on perceived stigma, taking into consideration the level of psychological distress and social stereotypes associated with mental disorders and help seeking behaviours. Programs about coping are also essential and should focus on promoting emotion-focused strategies and problem-focused strategies.

A qualitative assessment of mental health literacy and help-seeking behaviors among male college students

Although the number of students receiving care from college counseling centers has increased, engaging male college students to seek help presents a unique challenge. This qualitative study explored mental health literacy and help-seeking behaviors among undergraduate college men. Semi-structured interviews (n = 26) based on three vignettes (anxiety, depression, stress) were employed to assess mental health literacy. Analysis revealed three general themes and associated sub-themes: (a) knowledge of signs and symptoms (physiological, behavioral, and emotional); (b) recommended help-seeking behaviors (do nothing, self-care, seek help); and (c) barriers to help-seeking (social stigma, self-stigma, masculinity). Findings present a triadic interplay between the person, help-seeking behavior, and environment. Future research should explore this dynamic relationship to inform interventions aimed at improving college male mental health help-seeking behavior.

Predictors of Mental Health Literacy and Information Seeking Behavior Toward Mental Health Among University Students in Resource-Limited Settings

BACKGROUND

This paper investigated mental health literacy level and information seeking behavior, and mental health-related information sources in limited-resource settings, in the case of Ethiopian university students.

METHODS

A cross-sectional, self-administered web-based survey was conducted among Dilla University students, from 1 January to 29 February 2022, with a total of 780 respondents. We presented descriptive statistics using mean, standard deviations, and proportions. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression were employed to identify factors associated with mental health literacy and information seeking behavior of students. Further, path analysis was also employed.

RESULTS

The result showed 71 (9.1%) respondents had a diagnosed history of mental illness. Overall, 397 (50.9%) respondents were identified as having adequate mental health literacy and 420 (53.8%) sought mental health information. In multivariate analysis, mental health literacy was significantly associated with: being female (AOR = 2.8; 95% CI (1.5-5.4)), higher digital health literacy (AOR=2.8; 95% CI (1.5-5.4), seeking mental health-related information (AOR=1.6; 95% CI: (1.1-2.5)), having family with mental illness, and students in health-related programs (AOR = 2.1; 95% CI (1.0-4.2)). Furthermore, health-related programs, level of mental health literacy, exposure to mental health problems in the family, and were associated with information seeking behavior regarding mental health. Further, path analysis revealed significant positive associations of information seeking behavior and digital health literacy with mental health literacy.

CONCLUSION

The result indicated the status of university students' mental health literacy level and information seeking behavior were low and inadequate. This study suggests the need to improve students' digital health competencies by designing mental health literacy programs by collaboration of different stakeholders, and mental health literacy programs need to optimize access to internet and online resources in the university settings.

Further Examination of the Psychometric Properties of the Multicomponent Mental Health Literacy Scale: Evidence from Chinese Elite Athletes

This study aimed to examine the psychometric properties of the Multicomponent Mental Health Literacy Scale (MMHLS) among Chinese elite athletes. Particularly, the factorial validity, convergent validity, discriminant validity, concurrent validity, internal-consistency reliability, and test-retest reliability of the MMHLS were examined. A total of 320 participants were recruited from the Guangdong provincial sports training center in China. Data collection was conducted between 30 June and 31 July 2020 using electronic questionnaires. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), Rasch analysis, correlation analysis and independent-sample t-tests were conducted using Mplus 8.3 and ConQuest 2.0. The CFA results supported the factorial validity of the three-dimensional MMHLS, consisting of knowledge-oriented MHL, beliefs-oriented MHL, and resource-oriented MHL. Cronbach's alpha and composite reliability coefficients supported the internal-consistency reliability of the MMHLS. Moreover, the convergent and discriminant validities were supported for the subdimension of MHL-Knowledge, MHL-Beliefs, and MHL-Resources. Concurrent validity was demonstrated through correlations between MMHLS, help-seeking attitudes, and stigma. Rasch analysis provided further evidence of the psychometric quality of the instrument in terms of its dimensionality, item fit statistics, and rating scale effectiveness. Finally, test-retest reliability was 0.66 after one month. In conclusion, the 24-item three-dimensional MMHLS was verified to be a reliable and valid measurement of mental health literacy in Chinese elite athletes.

Empirical analysis based on the related factors of college students’ mental health problems

Interpersonal relationship is one of the important factors affecting college students’ mental health. The relationship between interpersonal relationship and college students’ mental health has also become a large number of academic research topics. In order to explore whether there is a correlation between optimism and college students’ mental health, and if so, what kind of situation it presents. Based on literature review, mathematical statistics and questionnaire survey, this study optimized the iterative process of clustering algorithm. Extract valuable parts from a large amount of precipitation of students’ psychological data, establish data models, and provide decision-making guidance for managers. The results show that there are significant differences between optimists and pessimists in optimistic factors and pessimistic factors. Optimists score significantly higher on optimistic factors than pessimists, while pessimists score significantly lower than pessimists. Conclusion optimism can significantly alleviate life stress and intervene psychological crisis.

Mental health stigma among college students: misperceptions of perceived and personal stigmas

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between college student perceived and personal mental health stigmas. Participants: A sample of 352 undergraduate college students from two large Universities in the Eastern United States was utilized. Methodology: A self-report anonymous online survey was utilized. The survey contained demographics as well as questions to assess participant levels of perceived stigma, personal stigma, and social desirability.ResultsResults revealed that college student perceived stigma was significantly greater than personal stigma, and that perceived stigma and personal stigma were significantly and positively correlated. Conclusions: Overall findings suggest a misperception of campus mental health stigma levels. Based upon these student misperceptions of stigma, best practices for addressing stigma within the clinical setting are discussed. Overall implications for college counseling centers are presented, including campus outreach strategies.

Understanding Mental Health App Use Among Community College Students: Web-Based Survey Study

Background

Mental health concerns are a significant issue among community college students, who often have less access to resources than traditional university college students. Mobile apps have the potential to increase access to mental health care, but there has been little research investigating factors associated with mental health app use within the community college population.

Objective

This study aimed to understand facilitators of and barriers to mental health app use among community college students.

Methods

A web-based survey was administered to a randomly selected sample of 500 community college students from April 16 to June 30, 2020. Structural equation modeling was used to test the relationships between the use of mental health apps, perceived stress, perceived need to seek help for mental health concerns, perceived stigma, past use of professional mental health services, privacy concerns, and social influence of other people in using mental health apps.

Results

Of the 500 participants, 106 (21.2%) reported use of mental health apps. Perceived stress, perceived need to seek help, past use of professional services, and social influence were positively associated with mental health app use. Furthermore, the effect of stress was mediated by a perceived need to seek help. Privacy concerns were negatively associated with mental health app use. Stigma, age, and gender did not have a statistically significant effect.

Conclusions

These findings can inform development of new digital interventions and appropriate outreach strategies to engage community college students in using mental health apps.

eHealth Literacy and Self-care Behavior during the Coronavirus Disease-19 Pandemic among Youths: A Path Analysis

BACKGROUND: eHealth literacy can affect one’s health behavior through the intention to motivate individuals and allow them to make health-related choices. AIM: This study aimed to examine the association between eHealth literacy and self-care behavior among youths in Yogyakarta during the coronavirus disease pandemic. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 455 never-married youths aged 15–24 years who lived in Yogyakarta Province completed the online survey that was conducted from October 5 to October 19, 2020. There were some indicators measured in the survey: eHealth Literacy, health information-seeking behavior, the intention of health maintenance, self-maintenance of health behavior, perceived behavioral control, subjective norms, and attitude toward health maintenance. Path analysis was conducted to determine the influencing factors of eHealth literacy and self-care behavior. RESULTS: Five in 10 youths accessed the internet more than 4 hours a day, though more than half of youths had low eHealth literacy levels. Intention (β = 0.09; 95% CI = 0.01–0.18; p = 0.037), perceived behavioral control (β = 0.46; 95% CI = 0.38–0.54; p ≤ 0.001), and subjective norms (β = 0.24; 95% CI = 0.16–0.33; p ≤ 0.001) had a significant positive direct effect on youth self-care behavior. Attitude indirectly affects self-care behavior through the intention (β = 0.46; 95% CI = 0.39–0.53; p ≤ 0.001) together with eHealth literacy (β = 0.11; 95% CI= 0.04–0.18; p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Health literacy does not explicitly affect youths’ self-care behavior, but it becomes crucial when it builds youths’ intention to behave healthier. The positive impact of intention to enhance self-health care seems to have occurred only if eHealth literacy was adopted.

Mental fitness in higher education: Intervention Mapping programme design

Purpose

Higher Education Institutions observe that many students are experiencing mental health issues, such as high levels of anxiety and stress. Young adults are recognised as a vulnerable group who carry the burden of mental health problems worldwide. Mental health interventions can be effective in positively influencing students' emotional and behavioural wellbeing.

Design/methodology/approach

In the current study, the principles of Intervention Mapping (IM) were applied to guide the development, implementation, and evaluation of a specifically tailored mental health programme for a selected student cohort in a large Higher Education Institute in Ireland. Mixed qualitative (Delphi technique and focus group discussions) and quantitative (survey) data were gathered to gain a broad perspective of mental health concerns and learning needs among a sample of higher education students (n = 99).

Findings

Existing evidence guided by theoretical frameworks were blended to create a specifically tailored mental health programme to meet the needs of higher education students in Ireland. Results indicate that the established six-stages of IM provide an empirical process that has the potential to effectively respond to the mental health needs of students in higher education. IM identifies the priority needs of students in higher education and ensures that suitable behaviour change techniques for mental health are addressed. 10;

Originality/value

IM is a suitable method to critically and collaboratively develop a mental health intervention for the overall wellbeing of the general higher education student population, both nationally and globally. 10;

Exploring Preference to Avoid or Seek Help in Person and Online Among College Students with Suicidal Ideation

Objectives: Suicidal thoughts, for which college students are at risk, tend to be negatively associated with intentions to seek therapy, particularly among college-aged men. Emerging research suggests college students may seek psychological help online; however, factors that explain why they avoid help and/or may prefer online help remain unknown.

Method: 816 college students completed measures of suicidal ideation, help-seeking intentions, and theoretical mediators and moderators of their relationship.

Results: Suicidal ideation was associated with stronger preference for online help among female, but not male respondents. The indirect effect of suicidal ideation on help negation via interpersonal difficulties was positive where self-concealment was high but negative where it was low. This pattern, however, was not found for online help preference.

Conclusions: Online interventions can augment suicide prevention and intervention for college students. However, suicidal male students may be less likely to utilize online help sources. The mechanisms underlying this gender difference remain unclear. More research is needed to understand how help-negation in college-aged men can be addressed in online intervention platforms.

Readiness to change and barriers to treatment seeking in college students with a mental disorder

BACKGROUND

College students have high prevalence of mental disorders and suicidal thoughts and behaviours, and low rates of treatment uptake. This study assesses treatment access, intentions to seek help, and perceived barriers to help-seeking, considering gender and suicidal thoughts or behaviours (STBs) as predictors.

METHODS

Data is from the Ulster University Student Wellbeing study (2015) conducted in Northern Ireland (NI), as part of the WHO World Mental Health Surveys International College Student Project. Participants are 392 new college entrants (162 males (41.3%)/230 females (58.7%)), who all reported some lifetime mental disorder or STBs.

RESULTS

Receipt of treatment was low (37.8%), particularly among males and those with no STBs. Males were less likely to intend to access external professional services and were less likely than females to rate embarrassment (OR = 0.60) or worry about being treated differently (OR = 0.63) as important reasons for not seeking treatment. Those with STBs rated wanting to handle things on their own as a more important barrier those with no STBs (OR = 0.55 for non STBs group) and rated being unsure where to go as a less important barrier than those with no STBs (OR = 1.80 for non STBs group).

LIMITATIONS

Data is correlational and concerns lifetime criteria for mental disorder, with no consideration of current mental status nor disorder type.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings have implications for the active screening and intervention for vulnerable college students, particularly males and those with mental disorders but no STBs.

Effects of a health education intervention on hypertension-related knowledge, prevention and self-care practices in Nigerian retirees: a quasi-experimental study

BACKGROUND

Education is vital to increasing knowledge, improving prevention and self-care practices for hypertension in older adults. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of a health education intervention in improving hypertension (HT) knowledge, prevention and self-care practices among retirees in Enugu State, South-east, Nigeria.

METHODS

In this quasi-experimental study, we enrolled 400 participants in Enugu and Nsukka cities in Enugu State, south-east Nigeria. Participants were assigned to the treatment and control groups. Participants in the intervention/treatment group (T-group) received the intervention provided by public health experts and nurses and participants in the control group (C-group) received health talk without the intervention. Data collected at baseline (before intervention), 16 weeks (4th month) and follow-up (5th month) included demographic variables, knowledge about hypertension, prevention and self-care practices. We used paired samples t-test, Chi-square test and one-way ANOVA repeated measures for data analyses.

RESULTS

The mean age of the participants was 65.9 (± 8.9) years, the mean SBP and DBP were 136.5 (± 13.3) and 87.9 (± 9.1) respectively. More than half of the participants were (50.3%) were males, and the mean BMI was 23.9 (± 5.1) kg/m2. The paired comparison analysis showed that the mean HT knowledge score significantly increased in the T-group between baseline and 1 month (4th month) post-intervention compared to those in the C-group (P < 0.0001). Also, PA (P = 0.007), sleep pattern and quality (P = 0.003), substance use abstinence (P = 0.000), healthy diet (P = 0.000), and medication adherence (P = 0.000) improved significantly in the T-group compared to the control between baseline and 1 month after intervention. The repeated measures analyses showed statistically significant effects (between-groups analysis) for all outcomes with small to large effect sizes. Similarly, the repeated measures ANOVA analyses showed significant time-by-group interaction effects (within-groups) for all the outcomes with small to large effect sizes.

CONCLUSION

Community-based health education intervention targeted at older adults can increase HT knowledge, improve prevention and self-care practices of hypertension at the population level.