The differential influence of self-construal on the effect of self-efficacy on the help-seeking process: A quasi-experimental online study among people with untreated depressive symptoms.

Autor: McLaren T; Department of Health and Prevention, Institute of Psychology, University of Greifswald, Germany. Electronic address: thomas.mclaren@uni-greifswald.de., Peter LJ; Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, University Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany., Tomczyk S; Department of Health and Prevention, Institute of Psychology, University of Greifswald, Germany., Muehlan H; Department of Health and Prevention, Institute of Psychology, University of Greifswald, Germany., Schomerus G; Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, University Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany., Schmidt S; Department of Health and Prevention, Institute of Psychology, University of Greifswald, Germany.
Jazyk: angličtina
Zdroj: Acta psychologica [Acta Psychol (Amst)] 2024 Feb; Vol. 242, pp. 104119. Date of Electronic Publication: 2023 Dec 28.
DOI: 10.1016/j.actpsy.2023.104119
Abstrakt: Background: Despite available professional healthcare, people often delay or avoid help-seeking. Understanding the underlying reasons is crucial and research has explored the role of self-efficacy in this context. Additionally, studies have highlighted the significance of culturally influenced self-construals in individuals' health behaviour. There seems to be a relationship between self-efficacy and self-construal. The aim of the study is to explore the influence of self-efficacy on help-seeking, considering self-construal as a moderator. Differential experiences of self-efficacy and varying associations among help-seeking variables based on self-construal are posited.
Methods: A quasi-experimental online study is conducted with a baseline assessment, including self-efficacy interventions, and follow-ups at three and six months. Self-construal groups are compared, i.e., independent vs. interdependent individuals. A series of multi-group path analyses are conducted to examine potential variations in the interventional effects and among the help-seeking variables respective of help-seeking instance, i.e. professional mental health care or informal care. Self-construal functions as the global moderator.
Results: The study included N = 1'368 participants, 65.6 % identifying as female and an average age of 42.38 (SD = 15.22). More independent compared to more interdependent individuals were older, more frequently identified as male, had higher socioeconomic status, fewer depressive symptoms, and greater self-efficacy. Multi-group path analyses for professional mental health care (CFI = 0.992, RMSEA = 0.018, SRMR = 0.004) and informal help (CFI = 0.999, RMSEA = 0.004, SRMR = 0.006) demonstrated excellent model fits. The analysis for informal help was interpretable, as the unconstrained model had a significantly better fit than the constrained model. There were varying associations among help-seeking variables based on self-construals. The intervention effect was differential, with independent participants benefiting significantly (β = 0.203), while the effect was non-significant for interdependent participants.
Discussion: The study's findings, strengths, and limitations are discussed in relation to current research. Results indicate differential experiences of self-efficacy interventions based on individuals' self-construal. Moreover, varying associations among help-seeking variables suggest self-construal-based differences in their interrelationships. These findings highlight the importance of considering self-construal in health related research.
Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no competing interests.
(Copyright © 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)
Databáze: MEDLINE
Externí odkaz: