Associations Between Rurality, Mental Health Literacy, and Help-Seeking Intentions Among College Aged Students in Appalachia

Additional Authors

Donna Zastrow, Clinical Psychology Doctoral Student, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN. Mara Sindoni, Clinical Psychology Doctoral Student, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN.

Abstract

Introduction: Approximately 1 in 7 adolescents experience a mental health condition, yet most go untreated (WHO, 2024). Many barriers to mental health care exist, especially for those in rural areas due to limited access to healthcare, scarce resources (e.g., mental health providers), and cultural belief systems that contribute to stigmatization (El-Amin et al., 2018; Letvak, 2009). Mental health literacy (MHL; i.e., one’s knowledge and beliefs about mental disorders) may serve as a combatant to some of these barriers, as research has shown it to be a major facilitator of help-seeking (Goldney et al., 2011). The aim of the current study was to analyze the relations between rurality, mental health literacy, and self-reported help-seeking intentions should participants experience a mental health crisis in the future. I hypothesized that those who endorsed being from rural communities (as opposed to urban and suburban communities) and those with lower MHL would indicate lower intentions to seek help from a mental health professional or primary care provider (PCP) should they experience a future mental health crisis. Methods: Data were taken from a sample of 959 undergraduate students from a mid-sized university in South Central Appalachia (Mage = 19.74, SD = 4.02, 73.3% female, 90.8% white) Using SPSS, I ran two multivariate linear regressions, with rurality and mental health literacy as predictors and self-reported likelihood of seeking help from a mental health provider and PCP as outcome variables. Results: Results indicated no significant difference in help-seeking intentions based on rurality. Mental health literacy was positively associated with intentions to seek help from a mental health professional (b = 0.03, p < 0.001) and PCP (b = 0.02, p = 0.02). Discussion: Educational programming aimed at increasing adolescents’ mental health literacy could be a promising approach to facilitate positive help-seeking behaviors.

Start Time

16-4-2025 9:00 AM

End Time

16-4-2025 11:30 AM

Presentation Type

Poster

Presentation Category

Social Sciences

Student Type

Graduate Student - Doctoral

Faculty Mentor

Aubrey Dueweke

Faculty Department

Psychology

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Apr 16th, 9:00 AM Apr 16th, 11:30 AM

Associations Between Rurality, Mental Health Literacy, and Help-Seeking Intentions Among College Aged Students in Appalachia

Introduction: Approximately 1 in 7 adolescents experience a mental health condition, yet most go untreated (WHO, 2024). Many barriers to mental health care exist, especially for those in rural areas due to limited access to healthcare, scarce resources (e.g., mental health providers), and cultural belief systems that contribute to stigmatization (El-Amin et al., 2018; Letvak, 2009). Mental health literacy (MHL; i.e., one’s knowledge and beliefs about mental disorders) may serve as a combatant to some of these barriers, as research has shown it to be a major facilitator of help-seeking (Goldney et al., 2011). The aim of the current study was to analyze the relations between rurality, mental health literacy, and self-reported help-seeking intentions should participants experience a mental health crisis in the future. I hypothesized that those who endorsed being from rural communities (as opposed to urban and suburban communities) and those with lower MHL would indicate lower intentions to seek help from a mental health professional or primary care provider (PCP) should they experience a future mental health crisis. Methods: Data were taken from a sample of 959 undergraduate students from a mid-sized university in South Central Appalachia (Mage = 19.74, SD = 4.02, 73.3% female, 90.8% white) Using SPSS, I ran two multivariate linear regressions, with rurality and mental health literacy as predictors and self-reported likelihood of seeking help from a mental health provider and PCP as outcome variables. Results: Results indicated no significant difference in help-seeking intentions based on rurality. Mental health literacy was positively associated with intentions to seek help from a mental health professional (b = 0.03, p < 0.001) and PCP (b = 0.02, p = 0.02). Discussion: Educational programming aimed at increasing adolescents’ mental health literacy could be a promising approach to facilitate positive help-seeking behaviors.