Abstract
Understanding the factors that affect the likelihood of seeking and adhering to recommended care for a physical illness is important to decrease the burden of disease. The present study examined traditional undergraduate students' responses to a hypothetical cancer diagnosis in an attempt to understand how various factors contribute to help-seeking behaviors. A total of 176 participants (69.9% female; Mean age = 20.82, SD = 2.54; 43.2% Latino/a American) completed an electronic survey measuring ethnic identity, personality, body image, perfectionism, gender role, and help-seeking beliefs. Following the presentation of a vignette, participants were instructed to rank their preference of four treatment options (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (16.4% preferred), Psychodynamic Psychotherapy (8.5% preferred), a Medical Approach (56.25% preferred) or No Standard Treatment (18.75% preferred)). No significant differences were found for treatment preference based on ethnic identity (t(174) = .479, p = .633), personality (extraversion, t(174) = .492, p = .623, agreeableness, t(174) = .135, p = .893, openness, t(174) = .051, p = .959), body image (t(174) = -1.189, p = .236), perfectionism (t(174) = - 1.466, p = .144), gender role (masculinity, t(174) = -.541, p = .589, masculinityfemininity, t(174) = -1.890, p = .060, femininity, t(174) = -1.179, p = .240) or helpseeking beliefs (intent, t(174) = -.611, p = .542, expertness, t(174) = -.443, p = .659, stigma tolerance t(174) = .593, p = .554). The findings suggest that individual differences do not determine treatment preferences; however, more research is needed to better understand young adults' perspectives on utilizing psychological services.