Journal article
The role of self-reliance and denial in the help-seeking process for eating disorders among university students
European Eating Disorders Review, Vol.32(3), pp.450-457
2024
PMID: 38078569
Abstract
Objective:
This study investigated how self-reliance and denial influence the relationship between help-seeking attitudes and behaviour.
Method:
Australian university students (N = 406) completed an online survey and females with elevated eating disorder (ED) concerns and high impairment were included in the study (N = 137). Participants completed measures of help-seeking attitudes, perceived barriers, and actual help-seeking behaviour. Via moderated logistic regression, we examined self-reliance and denial as perceived barriers to help-seeking.
Results:
Of the total sample, over 33.7% of university students reported substantial ED concerns and impairment of whom 65.0% believed they needed help. While a majority reported that help-seeking would be useful (85.4%), only a minority of participants had sought professional help for their concerns (38.7%). Self-reliance and denial were frequently endorsed barriers and moderated the relationship between help-seeking attitudes and behaviours.
Conclusion:
ED concerns are common among university students and perceived barriers play a moderating role between attitudes and help-seeking. Future prevention and early intervention programs should address students' denial, while the importance of reaching out for professional help (rather than relying on themselves) could be highlighted with peer support.
Details
- Title
- The role of self-reliance and denial in the help-seeking process for eating disorders among university students
- Authors
- Esme Fabry (Author) - Flinders UniversityDaniel B Fassnacht (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health - PsychologyRachael Ford (Author) - Flinders UniversityNicholas R Burns (Author) - The University of AdelaideAnne E O'Shea (Author) - Flinders UniversityKathina Ali (Corresponding Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health - Psychology
- Publication details
- European Eating Disorders Review, Vol.32(3), pp.450-457
- Publisher
- John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
- Date published
- 2024
- DOI
- 10.1002/erv.3052
- ISSN
- 1099-0968
- PMID
- 38078569
- Copyright note
- © 2023 The Authors. European Eating Disorders Review published by Eating Disorders Association and John Wiley & Sons Ltd. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
- Organisation Unit
- School of Health - Psychology
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99984378602621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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- Domestic collaboration
- Web Of Science research areas
- Psychiatry
- Psychology, Clinical
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