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Help-Seeking Intentions and Behaviors among Mainland Chinese College Students: Integrating the Theory of Planned Behavior and Behavioral Model of Health Services Use

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Abstract

This study investigated help-seeking intentions and use of mental health services within a sample of 1128 Mainland Chinese college students (630 males and 498 females; mean age = 20.01 years, SD = 1.48). Results of structural equation modeling and logistic regression analysis suggested that social-cognitive variables had significant effects both on students’ intentions to seek professional mental health care and their actual service use. To promote help-seeking, practitioners should consider marketing campaigns and psycho-education for students and communities, enhancing knowledge and acceptance of mental health problems and effective treatment options.

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Li, W., Denson, L.A. & Dorstyn, D.S. Help-Seeking Intentions and Behaviors among Mainland Chinese College Students: Integrating the Theory of Planned Behavior and Behavioral Model of Health Services Use. Int J Adv Counselling 39, 125–148 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10447-017-9287-x

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