International student use of university health and counselling services |
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Authors: | Jean Russell Garry Thomson and Doreen Rosenthal |
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Institution: | (1) Centre for Post-compulsory Education and Lifelong Learning, Faculty of Education, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, 3010, Australia;(2) Academic Services (Health, Counselling and Disability Services), The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia;(3) Key Centre for Women’s Health in Society, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia |
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Abstract: | A large sample of international students attending an Australian metropolitan university provided data concerning use of university
health and counselling services—their perceived need for help, resultant help-seeking, satisfaction with help given, explanations
for not seeking help when in need, and variables that predicted help-seeking. Using as criterion the individual’s perceived
need for help, we found students were under-utilizing both health and counselling services. Those who did seek help evaluated
their experiences positively. The gap between need and action is a concern. Students explained failure to act in terms of
insufficient seriousness of problems, lack of information about services and, to a lesser extent, doubts and discomfort about
the services. Contrary to views commonly expressed in the literature, student perceptions and responses showed few differences
based on cultural background. Within-person variables played a stronger role than culture in accounting for students’ help-seeking
decisions. |
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Keywords: | International students Help-seeking University health and counselling services |
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