Understanding public stigma and self-stigma on university students’ psychological distress in influencing help seeking behaviours

Soh, Yun Ling (2024) Understanding public stigma and self-stigma on university students’ psychological distress in influencing help seeking behaviours. Final Year Project, UTAR.

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Abstract

This research is aimed to understanding public stigma and self-stigma on university students’ psychological distress in influencing help seeking behaviours. This research has adopted a qualitative case study research approach, and data were collected through interviews. A total of 6 interviewees were gathered through purposive sampling method, which involved undergraduate students in whose age where between 18 to 24 years old who have experience or consulting counsellors in UTAR (students who have looked for professional services). Majority of the interviewee were female (n = 5) followed by male (n = 1). The location of this research and data collection was primarily conducted physically at UTAR Community Counselling Centre (UCCC). Besides the informed consent and demographic information, 31 semi-structured interview questions will be designed based on the Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) framework. Data will be extracted after the interview sessions, and thematic analysis will be conducted to analyse data. Prior to analysis, the available qualitative data will be transcribed, condensed into tables, and examined thoroughly, determining shared core ideas and key concepts by interpreting the evidence from the interview sessions. This study investigates the multifaceted dynamics of help-seeking behaviours among university students in Malaysia, drawing on insights from both literature review and interviews. Key findings emphasize the importance of addressing stigma, promoting awareness, and fostering support systems to empower students to prioritize their well-being. While the study provides valuable theoretical implications and practical recommendations for educators, limitations such as potential bias and sample homogeneity should be considered. Overall, this research contributes to a deeper understanding of the factors influencing help-seeking behaviours and highlights the importance of creating supportive environments within educational institutions.

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