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The Graduate Review

Abstract

Prior research has suggested that race/ethnicity and health locus of control (LOC) have an impact on mental health help-seeking attitudes. We investigated the relationship between these variables by administering a survey to 197 participants. We also explored the relationship between passive or active spiritual LOC and help-seeking attitudes. We found that White participants were more likely to seek out psychological help from primary care physicians, psychiatrists, and other mental health professionals compared to all other ethnic groups, which supported our second hypothesis. Also, all other ethnic groups were more likely to seek out spiritual help for psychological issues compared to White populations, which supported our third hypothesis. Through our exploratory analyses, we found that active spiritual LOC was significantly positively correlated with psychological closedness, while it was only marginally positively correlated with self-stigma and help-seeking stigma. We also found that passive spiritual LOC was significantly positively correlated with psychological closedness and help-seeking stigma. These results suggest that non-White populations may be more likely to seek out non-psychological help. Therefore, future interventions should include cooperation with spiritual or community leaders who are more likely to interact with individuals struggling in non-White populations.

Note on the Author

Jaymmy Cruz Matias is currently enrolled in Bridgewater State University’s Clinical Psychology Master's program. This paper was written under the mentorship and supervision of Dr. Ashley Hansen-Brown as part of the PSYC 506 Research Methods & Design II course. Jaymmy is a full-time student and plans to gain his license in mental health counseling to offer quality care to multiple organizations/establishments.

Erica A. English is a graduate student in the Clinical Psychology Master’s Program at Bridgewater State University. This paper was completed as part of the PSYC506 Research Methods & Design II course and was written under the mentorship of Dr. Ashley Hansen-Brown. Erica currently works as a Mental Health Worker at a Community Crisis Stabilization Unit. Erica plans to receive her license in mental health counseling in the state of Massachusetts and work with adolescents who have eating disorders.

Alan J. Stamper is currently a graduate student in the Clinical Psychology Master’s Program at Bridgewater State University. This paper was written under the mentorship of Dr. Hansen-Brown. Alan plans to receive his license in mental health counseling in New Hampshire upon graduation. He is interested in working with trauma populations in the future.

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