Date of Conferral

6-12-2025

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Psychology

Advisor

Hedy Dexter

Abstract

The increasing prevalence of mental health issues among college students is a critical concern. Disorders such as depression and anxiety are becoming more common, with depression notably a major risk factor for suicide—the second leading cause of death in this age group. Despite this troubling trend, significant barriers to accessing mental health services remain. While research has explored various factors contributing to students’ reluctance, such as stigma, distrust in the mental health system, lack of social support, and mental health literacy, none to date has examined the relative strength of help-seeker stereotype, help-seeking self-stigma, and self-esteem in predicting attitudes toward seeking mental health help. This quantitative study aimed to address this gap in the literature. The theory of planned behavior informed this study, as it explains how subjective norms, normative beliefs, and control beliefs influence attitudes toward seeking mental health help. Participants included 133 English-speaking adults 18 and older living in the United States who were given online surveys administered via SurveyMonkey. Findings from hierarchical multiple regression were statistically significant as help-seeker stereotype and self-esteem were positive predictors of attitudes toward seeking mental health help. Surprisingly, negative stereotypes were linked to positive attitudes, possibly due to stigma-reducing initiatives implemented on college campuses nationwide. Higher self-esteem also fostered favorable attitudes. Reducing stigma, boosting self-esteem, and improving access to services can create a more supportive environment for students, contributing to positive social change.

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