Dixit U, Ahlich EM. Barriers and facilitators of help-seeking for eating, weight, and shape concerns among college students.
JOURNAL OF AMERICAN COLLEGE HEALTH : J OF ACH 2024:1-11. [PMID:
39186045 DOI:
10.1080/07448481.2024.2393092]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2024] [Revised: 06/28/2024] [Accepted: 08/12/2024] [Indexed: 08/27/2024]
Abstract
Objective: Prevalence of disordered eating among college students is concerning, but professional help-seeking rates are low. This study examined barriers and facilitators of help-seeking for eating, weight, and shape concerns in this population. Participants: A non-clinical sample of undergraduates (N = 134; 64.7% females; 63.9% White; 61.7% freshman) were recruited from a research pool. Methods: Participants reported on help-seeking barriers, facilitators, intentions, and behaviors, as well as disordered eating, anxiety, and depression. Results: Commonly endorsed facilitators of help-seeking for disordered eating included desire to get better and other mental health issues. Commonly endorsed barriers highlighted themes of self-reliance. Recent and lifetime help-seeking behaviors suggested preferences for informal sources of help. Greater disordered eating predicted more endorsed facilitators of help-seeking, whereas greater depression predicted more endorsed barriers. Conclusion: Findings-highlighting self-reliance and preferences for informal sources of help-can facilitate efforts to better serve students who may be experiencing disordered eating.
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