A study of the relationship between childhood adversity and adult attitudes toward professional help-seeking

Material Information

Title:
A study of the relationship between childhood adversity and adult attitudes toward professional help-seeking
Series Title:
Barry University Dissertations -- School of Social Work
Creator:
Vicencio, Claudia Paola
Place of Publication:
Miami, Fla.
Publisher:
Barry University
Publication Date:
Language:
English
Physical Description:
286, [9] leaves ; 28 cm

Thesis/Dissertation Information

Degree Disciplines:
Social Work

Notes

Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and adult attitudes toward professional help-seeking for emotional problems through a secondary data analysis of the National Comorbidity Survey—Replication (NCS-R), a nationally representative U.S. sample (n = 5,692). Personal attitudes toward seeking mental health treatment drive health behavior and service utilization. Although treatment can be effective in treating psychiatric symptoms and ameliorating emotional distress, access to treatment requires the individual is willing to seek professional help. However, ACE exposure has been shown to impair processes associated with help-seeking, such as socialization, emotional regulation and impulse control. This study found higher ACE scores had a significant inverse association with intention to seek professional help. Higher ACE scores also had a significant inverse association with feeling comfortable talking to a professional about personal problems. Participants with four or more ACE also had significantly higher proportions of past suicidal behavior, depression, anxiety, bipolar and substance use disorders compared to participants with no ACE exposure. In hierarchical logistic regression modeling, the presence of three or more ACE, male gender, past suicidal behavior, and anxiety disorders all emerged as significant predictors of negative attitudes toward seeking professional help. Better understanding of the links between early adversity and attitudes toward professional help-seeking will help improve trauma-informed social work practice and may improve access to behavioral health treatment. Implications for social work practice and policy are discussed.
Thesis:
Thesis (Ph.D.)--Barry University, 2018.
Bibliography:
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 226-281).

Record Information

Source Institution:
Barry University
Holding Location:
Barry University Archives and Special Collections
Rights Management:
Copyright Claudia Paola Vicencio. 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:
RC569.5.C55 V56 2018_VicencioClaudia ( BU-Local )
Classification:
RC569.5.C55 V56 2018 ( lcc )

BUDC Membership

Aggregations:
Barry University
Theses and Dissertations