Factors that contribute to formal and informal mental health help-seeking among marginalised youth: A social-ecological perspective

Help-seeking is an adaptive coping process whereby support is obtained from external sources to deal with mental health concerns. Marginalised youth are less likely to seek help for mental health problems, despite reporting higher prevalent rates of mental health issues. The present thesis thus sought to examine the predictors of formal and informal help-seeking in marginalised youth, within a social ecological framework. Firstly, to explore mental health help-seeking as experienced by marginalised youth, a mixed methods systematic review of 20 academic studies examining barriers and facilitators to help-seeking was conducted. The narrative synthesis highlighted individual, interpersonal, organisational, community and societal level factors that influenced help-seeking amongst diverse marginalised groups. Unique findings on self-reliance, avoidant coping, social support, and parental relationships were observed. Thus, a quantitative empirical study was conducted on an Irish sample of 8,925 emerging adults. Seven marginalised groups were identified through demographic responses, including ethnic minority youth, sexual minority youth, religious minority youth, young people with a disability, young people in foster care, young carers and adoptees. 314 early school leavers were acquired from an additional sample. Chi square tests indicated that young people with a disability and sexual minority youth are more likely to seek formal help, while young carers, young people identifying as Asian and religious minorities were less likely. Young people identifying as Black or as questioning their sexuality were less likely to seek informal help. Regression analysis examined the individual and interpersonal level risk and protective factors of help-seeking. Regressions models significantly predicted formal and informal help-seeking for marginalised youth. The present thesis demonstrated that marginalised youth are at risk of mental health problems and the majority of groups do not seek help for their problems. Recommendations for practice and policy have been made to address this issue.