Determinants of Seeking Professional Psychological Help in Contemporary Ghana

Abstract

This study examined the determinants of seeking professional psychological help among contemporary Ghanaians. Specifically, the study investigated whether experience with mental health service, perceived social support (family, friends, and significant other), health locus of control (internal, chance, and powerful others), self-stigma, and cultural belief would uniquely and significantly account for attitudes toward seeking professional help after controlling for demographic characteristics and the other variables. Three hundred and fifty-four respondents were conveniently selected from Accra College of Education, a teacher training institution. Findings of the analyses revealed that none of the demographic characteristics predicted attitudes toward seeking professional psychological help. Furthermore, it revealed that experience with mental health service, family social support, friend social support, internal health locus of control, and self-stigma did not uniquely and significantly predict attitudes towards seeking professional help after controlling for other variables like demographic characteristics. However, chance health locus of control, powerful others health locus of control, and cultural belief were found to uniquely and significantly predict attitudes towards seeking professional help. Implications and recommendations of the findings are made for the clinicians and mental health professionals.