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Help-seeking atititudes among Israeli adolescents
Adolescence
|September 27, 2001
Summary
Israeli adolescents, particularly females, show willingness to seek help for distress, often preferring family and peers over professionals. Help-seeking attitudes vary by age and gender.
Area of Science:
- Adolescent Health
- Mental Health Services Research
- Psychology
Background:
- Understanding adolescent help-seeking behaviors is crucial for effective mental health interventions.
- Previous research indicates varied preferences for seeking support among young people.
- Factors like age, gender, and distress levels may influence willingness to seek help.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the willingness of Israeli adolescents to seek help for emotional and health issues.
- To identify preferred sources of help among different adolescent demographics.
- To explore the relationship between distress levels and help-seeking attitudes.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive survey was administered to nearly 1500 Israeli students in grades 7-12.
- Data collected included attitudes towards help-seeking, health status, and concerns.
- Statistical analysis was performed to identify factors associated with help-seeking attitudes.
Main Results:
- Females reported higher distress and greater willingness to seek help than males.
- Younger adolescents preferred parents, while older adolescents preferred peers.
- Adolescents generally favored family and peers over professionals for emotional/social problems.
- Grades 9-10 reported highest distress but were least willing to seek help for specific issues.
- Distress level was not directly related to willingness to seek help overall.
- An inverse relationship was found between willingness to seek help and depression/suicidal ideation in specific subgroups.
Conclusions:
- Adolescent help-seeking is influenced by gender and age, with a preference for informal support systems.
- Targeted interventions are needed, especially for older adolescents and those in grades 9-10.
- Healthcare services and counseling programs should consider these preferences for better engagement.
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