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
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-...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2024-02-01
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| Series: | Acta Psychologica |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0001691823002950 |
| _version_ | 1797372923255717888 |
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| author | Thomas McLaren Lina-Jolien Peter Samuel Tomczyk Holger Muehlan Georg Schomerus Silke Schmidt |
| author_facet | Thomas McLaren Lina-Jolien Peter Samuel Tomczyk Holger Muehlan Georg Schomerus Silke Schmidt |
| author_sort | Thomas McLaren |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | 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. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-08T18:42:47Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-51a3b8d08d0340848e5d403be38b83d8 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 0001-6918 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-08T18:42:47Z |
| publishDate | 2024-02-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Acta Psychologica |
| spelling | doaj.art-51a3b8d08d0340848e5d403be38b83d82023-12-29T04:44:35ZengElsevierActa Psychologica0001-69182024-02-01242104119The 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 symptomsThomas McLaren0Lina-Jolien Peter1Samuel Tomczyk2Holger Muehlan3Georg Schomerus4Silke Schmidt5Department of Health and Prevention, Institute of Psychology, University of Greifswald, Germany; Corresponding author at: Department of Health and Prevention, Institute of Psychology, University of Greifswald, Robert-Blum Str. 13, 17489 Greifswald, Germany.Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, University Leipzig, Leipzig, GermanyDepartment of Health and Prevention, Institute of Psychology, University of Greifswald, GermanyDepartment of Health and Prevention, Institute of Psychology, University of Greifswald, GermanyDepartment of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, University Leipzig, Leipzig, GermanyDepartment of Health and Prevention, Institute of Psychology, University of Greifswald, GermanyBackground: 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.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0001691823002950Self-Construal TheorySelf-efficacy interventionSeeking Mental Health Care ModelHelp-seeking behaviourDepression |
| spellingShingle | Thomas McLaren Lina-Jolien Peter Samuel Tomczyk Holger Muehlan Georg Schomerus Silke Schmidt 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 Acta Psychologica Self-Construal Theory Self-efficacy intervention Seeking Mental Health Care Model Help-seeking behaviour Depression |
| title | 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 |
| title_full | 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 |
| title_fullStr | 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 |
| title_full_unstemmed | 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 |
| title_short | 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 |
| title_sort | 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 |
| topic | Self-Construal Theory Self-efficacy intervention Seeking Mental Health Care Model Help-seeking behaviour Depression |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0001691823002950 |
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