Abstract
Internal migration, a manifestation of the socioeconomic disparities between rural and urban regions, is especially prevalent in developing countries experiencing rapid urbanization. The high risk of developing mental health problems and deleterious effect of treatment avoidance highlights the urgent need for a deeper understanding of the professional help-seeking behavior of young internal migrants. Therefore, this study aims to address the knowledge gap regarding mental health help-seeking behavior among young migrants in China using a mixed-methods approach.Guided by the Andersen Behavioral Model (ABM), the first study was a quantitative study that investigated factors affecting professional help-seeking behavior and intention. Linear regression and Zero-inflated Poisson regression analyses were conducted. Among young migrants who sought professional help within the past year, greater mental health knowledge, longer residence duration, and higher level of face concerns were related to a greater number of professional help-seeking behavior. In East Asian cultures, where group integrity and social harmony are highly valued, the fear of losing face often drives young migrants to seek professional help in order to protect their social image, family honor and social cohesion. Moreover, the findings indicate that shame, as a global attribution and painful emotion, significantly weakened the positive relationship between psychological stress and professional help-seeking behavior but mitigated the negative relationship between psychological stress and the professional help-seeking intention.
The second study was a qualitative study that explored the facilitators and barriers in professional help-seeking for mental health problems, drawing insights from both young migrants and mental health professionals (MHPs). Data was analyzed by utilizing the thematic analysis approach, identifying 10 themes, such as acculturation and adaptation difficulties, fear of public stigma as a hindrance, shame as a motivator, family misunderstanding, informal support as intermediary and self-reliance. Notably, fear of discrimination related to mental illness and excessive self-reliance stemming from increased autonomy and independence, serves as a barrier that inhibits young migrants from accessing mental health services.
In spite of that shame functions as a double-edged sword in the associations between psychological stress and professional help-seeking, the findings underline the importance of culture and migration in shaping professional help-seeking. The findings suggest MHPs should pay attention to the feelings of shame prior to treatment and collaborate with supportive networks for young migrants. Additionally, policymakers should promote initiatives that ensure the affordability of mental health care and work to eliminate systemic barriers to accessing healthcare.
| Date of Award | 2 Sept 2025 |
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| Original language | English |
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| Supervisor | Kin-Kit (Ben) LI (Supervisor) & Tina Louisa ROCHELLE (External Co-Supervisor) |