Department of Communication, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA.
J Ment Health. 2021 Jun;30(3):308-314. doi: 10.1080/09638237.2020.1760225. Epub 2020 May 12.
A large number of U.S. college students suffer from depression symptoms, yet existing resources cannot match the demand.
This study identified the psychological determinants of utilizing a help-line and examined potential barriers in order to inform effective help-line promotion.
Four hundred and six undergraduate students (18-29 years) completed a survey at a large Southern United States university between January and May 2018.
The survey assessed depression symptoms (PHQ9), whether students were aware of the help-line they had access to, stigma beliefs about depression/suicide, stigma of seeking help (SSOSH), predictors of intention to utilize the help-line (RAT) and behavioral approach and avoidance motivation (BIS/BAS).
Students showed mild symptoms of depression ( = 6.60, = 5.13) and knew about the help-line (74.8%), but expressed low intentions to use it ( = 1.5, = 0.97; 7-pt scale). Depression symptoms influenced the strength of association between determinants and intentions to use a help-line ( = 0.25, < 0.001). Participants with depression symptoms were also more likely to endorse adverse beliefs about depression/suicide ( = 0.11, = 0.025).
Help-lines should be promoted by activating and reinforcing positive outcome expectations. Health campaigns should also address adverse beliefs in this population.
大量美国大学生患有抑郁症状，但现有资源无法满足需求。
本研究旨在确定利用求助热线的心理决定因素，并研究潜在的障碍，以便为有效的求助热线推广提供信息。
2018 年 1 月至 5 月期间，在一所美国南部的大型大学，406 名本科生（18-29 岁）完成了一项调查。
该调查评估了抑郁症状（PHQ9）、学生是否了解他们可以使用的求助热线、对抑郁/自杀的污名信念、寻求帮助的污名感（SSOSH）、利用求助热线的意图预测指标（RAT）和行为趋近回避动机（BIS/BAS）。
学生表现出轻度抑郁症状（ = 6.60， = 5.13），并了解求助热线（74.8%），但表示使用意愿较低（ = 1.5， = 0.97；7 分制）。抑郁症状影响了决定因素与使用求助热线的意图之间的关联强度（ = 0.25， < 0.001）。有抑郁症状的参与者也更有可能对抑郁/自杀持有不利信念（ = 0.11， = 0.025）。
应通过激活和强化积极的结果预期来推广求助热线。健康宣传活动也应针对这一人群的不利信念展开。
