The relationship between mental health literacy and psychological support-seeking attitudes in Syrian immigrant students

Abstract

Background: The study was conducted to examine the relationship between mental health literacy and psychological support-seeking attitudes among Syrian immigrant university students. Materials and methods: The population of the study consisted of 2000 Syrian immigrant students studying in different departments of a university, and the sample comprised 326 immigrant students. In the study, data were collected through Descriptive Questions, the Mental Health Literacy Scale (MHLS), and the Attitude Scale toward Receiving Professional Psychological Support-Short Form (ATSPPH-SF). Results: The mean MHLS score of Syrian immigrant students was 11.804 ± 3.434. The average score of the ATSPPH-SF was 58.245 ± 8.131. A positive and moderate correlation was found between the total score of MHL and psychological support (r = 0.514, p < 0.01). The rate of explaining the effect of MHL on receiving psychological support was found as 26.2%. It was found that the increase in the level of knowledge positively affected the attitudes of the students to seek psychological support, and the belief-oriented dimension had a significant and positive effect on the attitude toward psychological support (B = 0.918, β = 0.250, p < 0.001). A one-unit increase in the belief-oriented dimension provided a 0.918-unit increase in the psychological support attitude score. However, it was observed that the effect of this dimension was lower compared with the information-oriented dimension. This finding shows that belief-based approaches may positively affect the attitude toward psychological support, but their effect is limited. Conclusions: It was determined that the MHL of the students was moderate and the attitudes of seeking psychological support were positive. There was a significant and positive relationship between the mental health literacy of Syrian immigrant students and seeking psychological support. It can be argued that initiatives to increase MHL can positively shape individuals’ attitudes toward psychological support.