Psychological distress and socio-demographics as predictors of seeking professional psychological counseling among university students in Jordan

Abstract

Youth mental health problems are relatively high in the latest few decades due to overwhelming social and psychological burdens (Hamdan-Mansour, Mahmoud, Al Shibi, & Arabiat, 2018). In particular, mental health of university students is compromised because of academic and social burden (Hamaideh & Hamdan Mansour, 2014). Previous reports showed that university students are suffering psychological problems such as depressive feelings, thinking of suicide, impulsivity, substance use, personality problems, academic anxiety at various rates and severity levels (Nawafleh, et al., 2018; Shehadeh, et
al., 2020; Shehadeh, et al., 2018; Hamdan-Mansour, et al., 2018). While such problems are warranting mental health professionals towards immediate intervention, the literature have not adequately investigated whether university students are receiving appropriate psychological counseling and preventive interventions. In general, it has been observed that an increased number of people with psychological and mental conditions are seeking professional assistance; however, number of people not seeking help is greater (Picco et al., 2016). In addition, lack of treatment guidelines, thinking that symptoms of
psychological disturbances can be handled personally or will resolve soon, apprehension of leaving study, and being on psychotropic medications have been reported to influence seeking mental health care (Dardas, Silva, Noonan & Simmons, 2016; Wilson & Deane, 2012). This evoked attention towards the connection between attitudes towards seeking professional psychological help and the increased prevalence of psychological problems and mental illnesses.