Abstract
The present study investigated the determinants of seeking psychiatric help. In order to investigate determinants, in self-esteem model, influence of self-esteem mediated by attitude was examined; in self-efficacy model, self-efficacy was divided into easiness of behavior and self-efficacy on treatment acceptance, and each influence was examined. University students (N=326) completed self-report questionnaires: self-esteem, intention to seek psychiatric help in the same situation as in depression vignette, attitude toward help-seeking behavior, self-efficacy on treatment acceptance, and easiness of behavior. On the basis of the recognition of the vignette, participants were divided into two groups: “Recognized as a disease” group (N=183), “Recognized as not a disease” group (N=143). The results indicated that (a) self-esteem and self-efficacy showed no direct influence on intention to seek help; (b) in the self-esteem model, influence of self-esteem mediated by attitude was very low; (c) in the self-efficacy model, easiness of behavior had mediated the effects on the intention from self-efficacy on treatment acceptance. These findings indicate that increasing the easiness of psychiatric consultations and improving the negative attitudes is needed.
