A study of help-seeking behavior intention among Malaysian academics moderated by mental health literacy

• Main Author: Ain Zuraini, Zin Aris
• Format: Thesis
• Language: English; English; English
• Published: 2023
• Subjects: RA Public aspects of medicine
• Online Access: https://etd.uum.edu.my/10667/1/grant%20the%20permission_s903860.pdf; https://etd.uum.edu.my/10667/2/s903860_01.pdf; https://etd.uum.edu.my/10667/3/s903860_02.pdf; https://etd.uum.edu.my/10667/

Managing mental health problems by seeking help is crucial among academics. If an academic does not practically take care of themselves, they could not then take care of their students. Psychological help is valuable as it could decrease the cost and effect of mental health problems and allow individuals to flourish, prosper and contribute positively to society. The objectives of this study are to examine the direct relationship between attitude towards the behavior, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, job insecurity, perceived organizational support, and help-seeking behavior intention. The study also examined the role of mental health literacy as a moderator. In this study, the unit of analysis is the individual Malaysian academic, and a quantitative approach is employed by collecting data using a proportional stratified probability simple random sampling technique through an online survey. A cross-sectional design was used that involved 382 Malaysian academics who worked in any one of the top 20 universities in Malaysia based on the QS world university ranking. Out of 10 hypotheses tested, five hypotheses were supported. Perceived behavioral control, job insecurity, and perceived organizational support were found to have a significant relationship with help-seeking behavior intention. But not with attitude towards the behavior and subjective norms. In addition, the study also found that mental health literacy moderated the relationship between job insecurity and help-seeking behavior intention; and relationship between perceived organizational support and help-seeking behavior intention. Reinforcing the perceived control empowerment, improving job security as well as strengthening organizational support are suggested to encourage help-seeking among Malaysian academics. Improving mental health literacy is also significant in boosting the encouragement for help-seeking behavior intention.