Predictors Of Professional Psychological Help-Seeking Behaviour: A Study Of Urban, Peri-Urban And Rural Dwellers In Greater-Accra Region

ABSTRACT Professional psychologists offer very efficacious therapy, however many individuals battling with mental/psychological illness do not consult them for assistance. This study examined some predictors of professional psychological help-seeking behaviour among Ghanaians in the Greater-Accra region and explored their knowledge and understanding of professional psychological services. The sequential mixed method design was used in this study. Study 1 was a cross-sectional survey involving three-hundred and sixty participants (N=360=120 urban dwellers, 120 rural dwellers and 120 peri-urban dwellers). They completed measures of psychological help-seeking behaviour, health locus of control, cultural beliefs and self-stigma. Results revealed that urban dwellers showed significantly more willingness to consult professional psychologists for assistance than peri-urban and rural dwellers. Cultural beliefs and self-stigma negatively predicted professional psychological help-seeking behaviour significantly. Individuals with tertiary education also reported more willingness to consult professional psychologists than those with secondary and basic education. However, health locus of control (internal, chance and powerful others) did not predict professional psychological help-seeking behaviour. In Study 2, in-depth interviews about knowledge and understanding of professional psychological services were conducted among fifteen participants (N=15=5 urban dwellers, 5 rural dwellers and 5 peri-urban dwellers). Thematic analysis revealed that participants had some misconceptions about the work of professional psychologists as majority did not know their locations, thought that their services were very expensive, and believed that professional psychologists prescribe medications just as medical doctors . Participants indicated that supernatural forces caused mental illness and that prayers and herbal medications were alternative treatments for mental illness. These findings imply that professional psychologists need to deliberately educate the general public about mental/psychological illness and the benefits of professional psychological services.