Psychological distress, attitudes toward seeking help, and utilization of college counseling at a predominantly minority college

OBJECTIVE

This study examined psychological distress among students at a predominantly-minority college, attitudes toward seeking help, and utilization of college counseling services. Demographic variables and associations between 8 problem areas (depression, generalized anxiety, social anxiety, academic stress, eating concerns, family distress, hostility, substance use) were explored.

PARTICIPANTS

Participants were 347 students at a large public university.

METHODS

In 2016-2017, students completed a Web-based questionnaire providing information about their mental health, attitudes toward seeking help, and utilization of counseling services.

RESULTS

Psychological distress was significantly higher for LGBQT, Muslim and female students and lower for Christian affiliated and religious students. LGBQT students were less likely to seek psychological help than other students. Utilization of college counseling did not differ by race or gender.

CONCLUSIONS

Administrators at PMCs must increase their efforts to disseminate information about mental health services and reduce barriers to seeking help, particularly for LGBQT, female and Muslim students.

Exploring cultural values in conflict management: a qualitative study of university heads of departments

Purpose

In seeking to understand the impact of culture on conflict management (CM), extant organisational management research has, for the most part, confined itself to using the one-dimensional collectivism/individualism model of Hofstede's cultural theory. The purpose of this present study is to extend this knowledge area by adopting the more comprehensive analysis of Hofstede's fourfold dimensional typology – power distance, individualism/collectivism, uncertainty avoidance and masculinity/femininity – as a conceptual lens to investigate how national culture impacts the interpersonal CM of those in leadership positions in higher education institutions. Specifically, this article explores the extent to which cultural values influence the CM practices of university heads of departments (HODs).

Design/methodology/approach

Adopting a qualitative approach, 36 interviews were conducted with heads of different departments across a variety of disciplines in selected Nigerian universities.

Findings

The study's results conceptualise how underlying cultural norms – promoting paternalism, servility and social relations – influence the conflict-handling strategies adopted by university HODs. It consequently emerged from the thematic analysis that in Nigeria, conflict-handling decisions are shaped by status-based dictates, a normative emphasis on communality, masculine hegemony and religious motivation – as opposed to Western cultures, where these benevolent and integrative values play a far smaller role.

Research limitations/implications

The study focussed on a small group of research subjects. Although the sample is not a sample that enables generalisation, the findings provide theoretical insights into how cultural ascendancy could frame conflict resolutions. This research is especially relevant as it runs in a culture significantly different from the ones that originally were investigated and in which managerial books and mainstream practices emerged and, thus, can contribute to challenge and enhance theory.

Originality/value

The study seeks to advance knowledge of the interface between culture and CM in a sub-Saharan African context where literature is scarce.

Development and Validation of a Short Form Version of the Ethno-Cultural Identity Conflict Scale (EICS-SF)

A short form version of the Ethno-Cultural Identity Conflict Scale (ECIS-SF) was developed and validated to address item redundancy in the original scale and to increase its utility in comparative studies and applied settings. Construct, discriminant, nomological, and predictive validity of the EICS-SF was tested and supported with five samples in three countries. In Study 1, the EICS-SF was derived and validated using data from Chinese (n = 232) and Greek (n = 139) New Zealanders. Study 2 confirmed the factor structure, measurement equivalence and discriminant validity of the EICS-SF with Chinese Canadians (n = 199) and British Indians (n = 190). Study 3 provided additional evidence for the test-retest reliability and temporal consistency of the EICS-SF's association with criterion measures in Indian New Zealanders (n = 147). The EICS-SF is psychometrically sound and easy to administer with diverse populations. Potential for application in clinical settings is discussed.

Perspectives on Filial Responsibility Among Uprooted Families From South Lebanon

This study focuses on filial responsibilities among uprooted families. Views of 20 mothers and 20 adolescents and young adults from southern Lebanon residing in Israel were compared to identify the roles that adolescent children assume and the perceived effects of these roles. Eight domains of filial responsibilities were agreed upon: language broker, cultural broker, financial supporter and breadwinner, surrogate parent and sibling caretaker, emotional supporter of parents, mediator of family conflicts, heritage transmitter, and role model. The roles had simultaneous positive effects and negative effects. The discussion illustrates the importance of cultural context of country of origin and the host culture. Moreover, it suggests implications of the findings for research and practice.

Intergenerational Conflict in Arab Families

Using a mixed-methods approach, we identified and explored intergenerational conflict issues that are salient to Arab adolescents and emerging adults ( N = 485). We also developed and validated a scale that captures these issues across several studies. A qualitative study of Arab adolescents and emerging adults ( N = 26) was first used to identify and describe unique intergenerational conflict items that are important to Arab families. An exploratory quantitative study ( N = 100) and subsequent validation study ( N = 157) were conducted to refine and validate the list of items. The final Arab Family Conflict Inventory consisted of 35 items that included both culturally specific items and items covering issues commonly found across ethnocultural groups. The scale was found to be psychometrically sound.

Parent–Child Conflict, Acculturation Gap, Acculturative Stress, and Behavior Problems in Arab American Adolescents

The current study examined how acculturation gap, acculturative stress, parent–child conflict, and behavior problems are related in a sample of Arab American adolescents. Seventy-six parent–child dyads completed questionnaires assessing acculturation, parent–child conflict, and behavior problems. Parents and adolescents reported similar levels of acculturation on American mainstream orientation as well as on Arab heritage orientation. Regression analyses showed that the acculturation gap between parents and children in heritage cultural orientation significantly predicted adolescent behavior problems. Mediation analyses revealed that adolescent-reported parent–child conflict partially mediated the relation between acculturative stress and behavior problems. Parent-reported parent–child conflict partially mediated the relation between the acculturation gap and behavior problems. Current findings highlight the importance of examining adolescents’ and parents’ acculturation as well as the underpinnings of parent–child conflict in Arab American families.