|
|
Thesis/Dissertation Information
- Degree Disciplines:
- Education
Notes
- Abstract:
- Purpose : In the next 25 years, the number of Americans aged 65 and older will double. Despite this growth, members of this cohort remain greatly underserved with regard to mental health services. By utilizing the Theory of Planned Behavior with participants 65 years of age and older who were married or in a committed cohabitating relationship, this study was designed to investigate whether a significant relationship existed among measures of attitudes, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control toward their intentions to seek mental health services. Second, this study investigated the relationship between this group’s knowledge of mental health services and their intentions to seek mental health services. Method : One hundred twenty-six adults 65 years of age and older who are married or cohabitating with a significant other participated in this study. Measures of attitudes, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control were assessed by the Inventory of Attitudes Toward Seeking Mental Health Services. Measures of intentions to seek mental health services were measured by the General Help Seeking Questionnaire. Finally, the measure of participants’ knowledge of mental health services was assessed by the Older Adults’ Knowledge of Mental Health Services Scale. Major Findings : Statistically significant correlations were found between measures of subjective norm and intentions (r = .19, p < .01); and perceived behavioral control and intentions (r = .17, p < .03). In contrast with existing literature that suggests the importance of both attitudes and knowledge of mental health services in predicting intentions, no significant relationship between attitudes and knowledge of mental health services and participants’ intentions to seek mental health services was found in this study. A hierarchical multiple regression analysis was conducted to determine if indifference to stigma, help-seeking propensity, psychological openness, and knowledge and attitudes toward mental health services predicted seeking mental health services. The results showed that only indifference to stigma contributed significantly to help seeking F (4, 124) = 4.40, p < .05). Implications for future research and practice are discussed.
- Thesis:
- Thesis (Ph.D.)--Barry University, 2011.
- Bibliography:
- Includes bibliographical references (leaves 103-130).
Record Information
- Source Institution:
- Barry University
- Holding Location:
- Barry University Archives and Special Collections
- Rights Management:
- Copyright Susan N. Sharum. Permission granted to Barry University to digitize, archive and distribute this item for non-profit research and educational purposes. Any reuse of this item in excess of fair use or other copyright exemptions requires permission of the copyright holder.
- Resource Identifier:
- RC451.4.A5 S43 2011_SharumSusan ( BU-Local )
- Classification:
- RC451.4.A5 S43 2011 ( lcc )
|
|
