A meta-analysis of gender differences in attitudes toward seeking professional psychological help.

OBJECTIVE

The present study aims to examine gender differences in attitudes toward professional psychological help-seeking behavior and how gender differences could be affected by other cultural factor such as race.

PARTICIPANTS

The authors selected studies that involved undergraduate and graduate students as samples, making the total number of participants in this meta-analysis 5,713.

METHODS

Statistical procedures were administrated by the MIX (Meta-analysis with Interactive eXplanations) program, which does meta-analyses.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

The results indicated that gender itself was a significant predictor on attitudes toward seeking professional psychological help. In addition, individual's cultural background (eg, Western versus non-Western ethnicity) moderated the gender differences on attitudes toward seeking professional psychological help. Practical implications for mental health professionals in college settings were discussed.