Research Information System
Thesis Type: Postgraduate
Institution Of The Thesis: Middle East Technical University, Graduate School of Social Sciences, Turkey
Approval Date: 2020
Thesis Language: English
Student: SEMANUR GÜNEŞ ÇAKMAK
Supervisor: Deniz Canel Çınarbaş
Abstract:The purpose of the current thesis was to investigate whether having psychological problems, attitude, stigma towards seeking psychological help and demographic variables predict intention to seek professional psychological help. A mixed-method design was employed to achieve this aim, and a quantitative and qualitative studies were performed, respectively. In the quantitative study, data were collected from 117 citizens of Köklük village, Ordu. Multiple linear regression and mediation analysis were used to understand the relationship between the variables of the study. The results showed that attitude toward seeking psychological help and the age of the participants significantly predicted the intention to seek professional psychological help. According to results of the mediation analysis, only stigma significantly mediated the relationship between having psychological problems and intention to seek psychological help. In the qualitative study, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 participants who had relatively higher mental health problems yet lower intention to seek psychological help scores in the quantitative study. Obtained data was analyzed by using thematic analysis. In total, 3 super-ordinate themes emerged which were psychological problems, psychological help, and coping strategies. Findings obtained from two studies were discussed in line with the relevant literature.