April 7-9, 2022 • Hyatt Regency • Lexington, KY
Communication Strategies to Promote Comprehensive Well-being
Communication Strategies to Promote Comprehensive Well-being
Abstract: An EPPM-guided Examination of College Students' Perceptions of their Counseling Center in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic
Background Mental health issues such as depression and anxiety are pervasive among college students and can result in severe adverse health outcomes (e.g., alcohol or drug addiction) and negative impacts on academic performance. Therefore, it is crucial to address college student mental health issue prevention. Although previous research has examined this topic, this EPPM-guided study explored attitude, intention, and behavior related to using campus counseling center services in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Objectives The goal of this study is four-fold. First, the study examined students’ attitudes towards their university counseling center and intentions to use their services if needed. The second part, guided by the Extended Parallel Process Model, assessed perceived severity and susceptibility of mental health issues, self-efficacy and response efficacy regarding the use of counseling services. Third, students’ preferences in terms of type of counseling sessions were explored (e.g., in-person, virtual, hybrid). Last, barriers preventing students from using counseling services before and after the onset of the pandemic were examined. Data collection has been completed, and data analysis is currently being performed. The study will be fully completed by April 2022. Methods Two phases were performed in this study. First, a pilot study (N = 61) was conducted to ensure the reliability coefficients of all scales would be robust in the study. Findings indicate all scales had high reliability coefficients: perceived severity (α = 0.965), perceived susceptibility (α = 0.957), self-efficacy (α = 0.912), response efficacy (α = 0.935), and intention to use counseling services (α = 0.957). Second, an online survey was completed by 946 college students who were on average 18.95 years old (SD = 1.97). Of participants, 60% were female, 34% male, and 2% gender queer. Additionally, 54% self-identified as White, 21% as Hispanic or Latino/a, 13% as Asian, and 11% as Black or African American. Last, 66.5% of participants were Freshman, 20.4% Sophomore, 8.6% Junior, 3.6% Senior, and 0.7% Graduate students. The questionnaire included scales assessing attitudes towards the counseling center and intentions to use their services if needed, the EPPM constructs, and intention to use counseling center services. Additionally, the questionnaire included both closed-ended and open-ended questions addressing counseling session preferences and barriers preventing the access to counseling center services. Preliminary Findings Preliminary findings suggest attitudes towards the counseling center were primarily favorable. Intentions to use counseling services were mixed between indecisiveness and favorable intentions. Mental health issues were perceived as potentially severe, but participants felt moderately susceptible to be affected by these issues. Furthermore, results revealed high self-efficacy and response efficacy. In-person sessions were preferred. Last, various barriers preventing the use of the counseling center before and during the pandemic were indicated in closed and open-ended questions (e.g., wanting to solve issues on one’s own). Conclusion This study builds on prior formative research addressing college student mental health prevention and could inform messaging targeting students focusing on barriers preventing receiving help from university counseling centers. Study implications may also inform counseling centers efforts to help students more effectively.