Research on help seeking with a computer coach providing on-demand help has not produced fully adequate models of the process from a cognitive perspective. The present study postulates a model of help seeking from a cognitive perspective and tests this model in a learning situation characterized as problem-based and computer-supported. The…

This study explored empirically the influence of acculturation (Hispanics' acquisition of behavioral patterns of the North American culture) on help seeking (coping) when a stressful event is experienced. It has been proposed that mental health services in the United States are highly reflective of Anglo American cultural values and thus…

This paper presents a review of the literature on African-American men and the psychotherapeutic process as a coping style. It describes the demographics of African-American men in treatment, reasons for seeking treatment, and common issues being presented in the psychotherapeutic session. Research suggesting that African-American men underutilize…

To increase the understanding of help seeking by college students in large classes, this study examined the help-seeking attitudes, intentions, and goals, and the preferred helping resources of 883 college students. Factor analysis suggested that students could be parsimoniously described by two help-seeking orientations: (1) strategic/adaptive,…

This paper describes two studies conducted to determine whether there is a stigma associated with being in psychotherapy and if so, how that stigma compares with the well-documented stigma associated with mental illness (Wahl, 1995). In the first study, community members (n=89) were asked to listen to an audiotaped statement from a young man. All…

The purpose of this paper is to understand students' perceptions of needs for counseling personal, academic, and career problems, and to realize students' preferences of counseling strategies with respect to these three problem domains. Freshman students at the National Pingtung Teachers College were given the "Needs for Counseling…

This research is based on intake forms from Hawaii's only statewide provider of services to the victims of sexual assault. The analyses reveal that significant differences exist between male and female victims, by age and by assault characteristics, including the type of sexual assault, use of force and injury, length of assault, and the…

Tested a new, shortened scale for measuring willingness to seek help from mental health professionals. Scores correlated with the 29-item scale developed by Fischer and Turner (1970); the new scale's brevity (10 items) should make it easier and less obtrusive for use in research. Discusses the need for further studies on attitudes toward…

Late adolescent college women (N=578) were surveyed regarding eating disorders. Participants found to have eating disorders were younger and more likely to be white, in a sorority, and Christian. Additionally, they were most likely to say that they would prefer a close friend to support them when dealing with disordered eating, followed by their…

Among 258 Midwestern male farmers and ranchers (average age 49), 87 percent coped with problems and difficulties by having faith in God. Respondents generally were reluctant to accept help from professionals, neighbors, or relatives, and were confident in their own abilities to solve their difficulties independently. Contains 22 references.…

Examines the effectiveness of indirect requests in attaining assistance from intimate and nonintimate others. Finds that directness of requests increases request force and interacts with relational intimacy to influence verbal compliance. Finds that directness is more effective at eliciting verbal compliance at higher levels of intimacy. (KEH)

Among 91 recent Central American immigrants: (1) employment was the most stressful area of life and had the greatest effect on subjects' adjustment, both positively and negatively; (2) children were the best adjusted family members; and (3) utilization of social services was reported quite low. Contains 14 references. (SV)

Coping styles of 50 learning-disabled and non-learning-disabled adolescents and their parents were compared. Learning-disabled adolescents showed less ability to appraise a source of stress and to seek information about their stressful situations and showed greater pessimism about academic concerns. Coping patterns of parents did not clearly…

Interviewed 50 hospitalized suicide attempters and 57 professional caregivers they identified as having been consulted prior to attempts. Approximately one-half of patients directly disclosed suicidal symptoms or intentions, especially to mental health professionals. Few caregivers noted suicidal thinking or probed suicidal symptoms. Data suggest…

Administered survey of attitudes toward counseling to college students in 1976 and 1989, rating likelihood of seeking counseling, likelihood of seeking help from professional and nonprofessional helpers, likelihood of seeking help for differing problems, degree of responsibility professional should assume, and preferences for five counseling…