ABSTRACT
Abstract Background: A timely search for professional help regarding mental health issues in adolescents is critical in preventing severe disorders. However, adolescents generally tend not to seek help. This investigation aimed to study Chilean adolescents willingness to seek help in mental health issues by identifying their preferred help-seeking sources. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional-correlational study with 493 high school students between 14 and 19 years of age (mean ± standard deviation = 16.28 ± 1.29). The instruments we used were the general help-seeking questionnaire (vignette version), adapted and validated in Chile, and a sociodemographic questionnaire. Results: Data showed that adolescents are more willing to seek help from informal rather than from formal sources. We identified no sex differences in terms of willingness to seek help from formal sources. However, males were more willing to seek help from informal sources. Conclusions: Similar to other cultures, Chilean adolescents are more willing to seek help from informal sources regarding mental health problems.
Resumen Introducción: La búsqueda de ayuda profesional oportuna para temas de salud mental en adolescentes es fundamental para evitar el desarrollo de trastornos más graves. No obstante, en general los adolescentes tienden a no solicitar ayuda. El objetivo de la presente investigación fue identificar las fuentes de ayuda para problemas de salud mental a las que los adolescentes chilenos están más dispuestos a dirigirse. Métodos: Estudio transversal-correlacional en el que participaron 493 estudiantes de secundaria de entre 14 y 19 años (media ± desviación estándar = 16.28 ± 1.29). Los instrumentos aplicados fueron el Cuestionario General de Búsqueda de Ayuda (versión viñeta), adaptado y validado en Chile, y un cuestionario de datos sociodemográficos. Resultados: Los resultados obtenidos muestran que los adolescentes prefieren buscar ayuda en fuentes informales. No se identificaron diferencias por sexo en la disposición a buscar ayuda en fuentes formales, pero sí en la disposición a buscar ayuda en fuentes informales, pues los varones mostraron mayor disposición a hacerlo. Conclusiones: En concordancia con la evidencia en otras culturas, los adolescentes chilenos presentan una mayor disposición a buscar ayuda para problemas de salud mental en fuentes informales.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: A timely search for professional help regarding mental health issues in adolescents is critical in preventing severe disorders. However, adolescents generally tend not to seek help. This investigation aimed to study Chilean adolescents' willingness to seek help in mental health issues by identifying their preferred help-seeking sources. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional-correlational study with 493 high school students between 14 and 19 years of age (mean ± standard deviation = 16.28 ± 1.29). The instruments we used were the general help-seeking questionnaire (vignette version), adapted and validated in Chile, and a sociodemographic questionnaire. RESULTS: Data showed that adolescents are more willing to seek help from informal rather than from formal sources. We identified no sex differences in terms of willingness to seek help from formal sources. However, males were more willing to seek help from informal sources. CONCLUSIONS: Similar to other cultures, Chilean adolescents are more willing to seek help from informal sources regarding mental health problems.