Perceived norms and help-seeking intentions among college student-athletes
Abstract
College student-athletes are vulnerable to mental health-related issues with the constant stresses rooted in the dual responsibilities on academic and athletic performances. Despite the higher intention and resources provided by college athletics departments, many student-athletes tend to underutilize professional services related to mental health well-being. The goal of this study was to better understand student-athletes' decision-making process on help-seeking, by examining perceived descriptive norms, perceived social norms, and athletic identity as potential predictors and moderator of athletes' intention to seek help. With a sample of 122 participants, we found that both perceived descriptive norms and perceived social norms were significantly associated with student athletes' intention to seek help. The relationship between perceived norms and intention to seek help was not dependent on athletic identity. However, as an exploratory finding, gender was indicated as a moderator in that association. In that perceived descriptive norms were a significant predictor of intention to seek help among male athletes while the perceived social norms were the only significant predictor among female athletes. The findings of the present study will contribute to future research and intervention programs on increasing service use among collegiate student-athletes who experience mental health-related issues.
Degree
M.S.