Journal article
Parents’ Barriers to Using School Psychology Services for Their Child’s Mental Health Problems
School Mental Health, Vol.7(4), pp.287-297
2015
Abstract
School psychologists are in a key position to be able to address children’s mental health problems, and current models emphasise service provision that collaborates between communities, families, and schools. Thus, it is important to determine what barriers, if any, parents perceive in seeking help from school psychologists when they have a mental health concern for their child. This study aimed to determine: (1) the types of barriers that parents report to engaging in services with school psychologists and (2) the relative frequencies of these barriers. Participants were parents with (n = 100) and without (n = 154) concerns about their child’s emotional well-being or behaviour. For parents with concerns, 26 % had engaged in school psychology services in the past year; 73 of the remaining 74 reported barriers to seeking school psychology care despite their concerns about their child. The majority of parents without concerns (about 80 %) also reported barriers to using school psychology care should they need to. Reported barriers were similar for both groups, with just four categories accounting for the majority of barriers: stigma, lack of school resources, perceptions that school psychology is ineffective, and concerns about lack of confidentiality. For parents reporting no barriers, a strong positive relationship with school staff was key. Specific strategies for school psychology to address these barriers are suggested.
Details
- Title
- Parents’ Barriers to Using School Psychology Services for Their Child’s Mental Health Problems
- Authors
- Jeneva L Ohan (Author) - The University of Western AustraliaRebecca J Seward (Author) - The University of Western AustraliaHelen M Stallman (Author) - University of South AustraliaDonna Bayliss (Author) - The University of Western AustraliaMatthew R Sanders (Author) - The University of Queensland
- Publication details
- School Mental Health, Vol.7(4), pp.287-297
- Publisher
- Springer New York LLC
- Date published
- 2015
- DOI
- 10.1007/s12310-015-9152-1
- ISSN
- 1866-2625; 1866-2633; 1866-2625
- Organisation Unit
- University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; Thompson Institute; School of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Legacy
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99513783902621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Web Of Science research areas
- Psychology, Developmental
- Psychology, Educational
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Source: InCites