Measuring the prevalence of psychological symptoms and the predictors associated with seeking counseling and psychological help among university students
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2-1-2023
Abstract
Objective To investigate the prevalence of psychological symptoms (PS) among university students and the predictors associated with seeking counseling and psychological help among students. Participants: A total of 663 students from three Jordanian universities participated in this study. Methods: A cross-sectional, correlational design was applied. Participants reported on the Attitude toward Seeking Professional Help Scale and the Hopkins Symptoms Checklist-21. Results: Students reported higher mean scores on the symptom checklist and had a poor attitude toward seeking counseling with low confidence in the counseling services. PS predicted that less than 7% of students would seek counseling with no difference among all age groups, gender, or specializations. Conclusion: High prevalence and low confidence influenced students' behavior toward seeking counseling and psychological help. There is a need to incorporate topics explaining the importance of counseling into different university courses, while emphasizing that it is neither stigmatizing nor shameful to seek professional help.
Keywords
Anxiety, Counseling, Help seeking, Psychological symptoms, Stress, Students
Divisions
nursing
Funders
None
Publication Title
Journal of American College Health
Volume
71
Issue
2
Publisher
Routledge
Publisher Location
2-4 PARK SQUARE, MILTON PARK, ABINGDON OX14 4RN, OXON, ENGLAND