Attitudes towards seeking professional psychological help: What really counts for United Arab Emirates University students?
Author: Al Darmaki, Fatima R.
Source:
Social Behavior and Personality. 31(5), 2003, 497-508.
The major focus of this study was to examine attitudes toward seeking professional psychological help in relation to some demographic variables, self-esteem, and depression. Three hundred and fifty undergraduate students enrolled at UAE University completed measures of attitudes toward seeking professional help (ASPPH), self-esteem, and depression. Demographic information was also obtained. Factor analysis of the ASPPH scale revealed three moderately internally consistent factors: (1) Confidence in Professional Help Providers, (2) Stigma Tolerance, and (3) Interpersonal Openness. Participants who were in senior years and in art-related majors showed more tolerance to stigma and more confidence in psychological help providers. High self-esteem and low depression correlated significantly with confidence in psychological help providers and stigma tolerance. Findings are discussed in the light of previous studies and the UAE culture.