Year
2003
Degree Name
Doctor of Psycology(Clinical)
Department
Department of Psychology
Recommended Citation
Cusack, Jason, Restrictive emotionality, perceptions of therapy and help-seeking intentions in males receiving psychological services, Doctor of Psycology(Clinical) thesis, Department of Psychology, University of Wollongong, 2003. https://ro.uow.edu.au/theses/2143
Abstract
The degree to which men's current or most recent access to professional psychological help was influenced by others, and who influenced them was investigated. The role of restrictive emotionality and alexithymia in therapy engagement, and future independent help-seeking intentions were also assessed. Seventy-three males currently accessing, or who had recently accessed a mental health service, completed a questionnaire that asked about their decision to seek help, difficulty or discomfort with emotions, engagement in therapy, perceptions of treatment helpfulness and future help-seeking intentions. Ninety-six percent of participants reported their decision to seek help was influenced by others, with G.P.'s,and intimate partners most influential. Thirty-seven percent indicated that without this influence, they would not have sought help. Restrictive emotionality, alexithymia and the degree of influence provided for the current or most recent episode of professional help were all unrelated to future help-seeking intentions. Once in therapy, restrictive emotionality and alexithymia were both related to perceptions of treatment helpfulness, but had only a small relationship with therapeutic bond. Therapeutic bond predicted perceptions of treatment helpfulness, and both variables were related to future help-seeking intentions. Perceptions of treatment helpfulness did not mediate the relationship between bond and future help-seeking intentions.
Unless otherwise indicated, the views expressed in this thesis are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the University of Wollongong.