Adolescents help-seeking behaviour: the difference between self- and other-referral

This study examines the difference between adolescentsʹ willingness to seek help for themselves and their willingness to refer others for help. Participants were 512 Israeli adolescents (219 males, 293 females) in grade 10. Adolescentsʹ willingness to seek help from five sources was evaluated with respect to themselves and others, for both severe and minor problems. Adolescents were more willing to refer another person than themselves to most of the sources of support. Differences were more pronounced for severe problems and referrals to psychologists, school counsellors and teachers. Girls were more willing than boys to seek help from their parents and friends. Actual help-seeking behaviour was positively related to willingness to seek help from various sources of support. The results are discussed with reference to the threat to self mechanism and other costs.