Adolescents' help-seeking behaviour: the difference between self- and other-referral

This study examines the difference between adolescents' willingness to seek help for themselves and their willingness to refer others for help. Partic ipants were 512 Israeli adolescents (219 males, 293 females) in grade 10. A dolescents' willingness to seek help from five sources was evaluated with r espect to themselves and others, for both severe and minor problems. Adoles cents were more willing to refer another person than themselves to most of the sources of support. Differences were more pronounced for severe problem s and referrals to psychologists, school counsellors and teachers. Girls we re more willing than boys to seek help from their parents and friends. Actu al help-seeking behaviour was positively related to willingness to seek hel p from various sources of support. The results are discussed with reference to the threat to self mechanism and other costs. (C) 2000 The Association for Professionals in Services for Adolescents.