Murray State Theses and Dissertations

Abstract

One of the most pressing concerns in mental healthcare is the limited use of mental health services across the country. Research has indicated that individuals from racial/ethnic minority groups are significantly less likely to seek mental health services, which has led many to examine specific barriers to treatment-seeking. Given research that has suggested that barriers to treatment-seeking may be structural, attitudinal, or cultural in nature, this study aimed to gain a better understanding of the relationship between these barriers and willingness to seek psychological help. Another goal of the current study was to examine the role of online therapy in willingness to seek psychological help by assessing therapy format preferences. Data from 349 adult participants across the USA from three racial/ethnic groups – Black, Hispanic/Latinx, and White – were examined. Results indicated that there was no significant difference in number of barriers endorsed by minority and white individuals. Additionally, no significant association between types of treatment barriers and therapy format preference was observed. Similarly, the relationship between number of barriers, whether attitudinal/cultural or structural, and willingness to seek psychological help was not moderated by race/ethnicity. However, there was a negative significant association between structural barriers and willingness to seek help for Hispanic individuals.

Keywords: mental health treatment, treatment barriers, race/ethnicity, online/in-person therapy, help-seeking

Year manuscript completed

2022

Year degree awarded

2022

Author's Keywords

mental health treatment, treatment barriers, race/ethnicity, online/in-person therapy, help-seeking

Thesis Advisor

Esther Malm

Committee Member

Tracey Garcia McCue

Committee Member

Laura Liljequist

Committee Member

Samir Patel

Document Type

Thesis

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