Date of Award

9-25-2024

Publication Type

Thesis

Degree Name

M.A.

Department

Psychology

Supervisor

Kendall Soucie

Abstract

Compared to other adult age groups, emerging adults (EA; individuals ages 18 – 29 years) have the highest prevalence of several mental health problems; however, treatment rates are particularly low. This treatment gap is concerning because untreated mental health problems are associated with worsening psychiatric symptoms, substance abuse, work/academic challenges, and substantial healthcare costs. To address this issue, this study investigated the factors that influence EA’s mental health treatment-seeking decisions. Both quantitative and qualitative survey data were collected from Canadian university students (n = 122; M age = 20.5 years) to better understand the barriers and facilitators that are involved in these decisions. We used path analyses to test a theoretical model of mental health treatment-seeking that extended the Theory of Planned Behaviour (Ajzen, 1991) to include mental health literacy (MHL) and self-stigma, given that these variables have been found to be a salient facilitator and barrier, respectively. We also analyzed participants’ qualitative written accounts of their perceived barriers and facilitators using conventional content analysis to contextualize the model. Path analysis results revealed that higher levels of MHL were associated with a reduction in self-stigma and an increase in positive attitudes toward counselling. Five broad categories were constructed from the qualitative data relating to (1) particpants’ ability to recognize their mental health problems and/or the need for treatment, (2) participants’ ability to seek mental health treatment, (3) systemic variables, (4) stigma, and (5) therapy/therapist variables. The ways in which the quantitative and qualitative results converge and diverge are discussed. This study has implications for increasing rates of mental health treatment among EA with empirically-based campaigns and strategies that target MHL.

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