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Ready to change? Predicting adolescents' help‐seeking for relationship concerns
Author(s) -
Kanter Jeremy B.,
Lannin Daniel G.,
Russell Luke T.,
Yazedjian Ani
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
personal relationships
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.81
H-Index - 83
eISSN - 1475-6811
pISSN - 1350-4126
DOI - 10.1111/pere.12388
Subject(s) - psychology , distress , social psychology , help seeking , developmental psychology , mental health , clinical psychology , psychotherapist
Although therapy, relationship education, and online relationship resources may help alleviate relational distress, many adolescents and adults eschew help. Deciding to seek help for relationship concerns involves mental processes that reflect behavioral intentions and information‐seeking behaviors. The present paper examines the prevalence of adolescents' ( N = 183) intentions and behaviors to seek relationship help, and investigates determinants of such decisions. Results indicate that only readiness to change was consistently associated with help‐seeking decisions. In contrast, other factors varied, with relationship status associated only with future intentions, and family difficulties associated only with behaviors to seek relational assistance. Programs may benefit from considering methods of disseminating information and encouraging adolescents to reflect upon reasons for considering making changes.