First-Aid Strategies and Fear of Emotional Over-Involvement of University Students toward Their Peers: Focusing on the Differences between Vignettes

Abstract

This study examined differences in first-aid strategies and fear of emotional over-involvement among students when approached by a friend about their problems, depending on the friend’s condition and their labeling. A questionnaire was administered to 160 undergraduate and graduate students to assess their labeling of each of the three vignettes (depression, schizophrenia, and academic failure), their intention to use first-aid strategies, and their fear of emotional over-involvement. An analysis of variance with vignettes as levels showed that the intention of the recommended strategy was significantly higher in the depression and schizophrenia vignettes than in the academic failure vignette. No significant differences were found among vignettes in the intention of non-recommended strategies. Fear of emotional over-involvement was significantly higher in the schizophrenia vignette. The results of a t-test by vignette labeling showed that the intention of the recommended strategy was significantly higher for those who correctly identified the depression vignettes. The intention of the non-recommended strategy was significantly lower among those who correctly labeled the schizophrenia vignettes. The results of this study show that there are differences in the responses of university students and the emotions aroused in response to different mental disorders. Finally, based on this study, the need for education on Mental Health First Aid for greater effectiveness was discussed.