Help-seeking theory postulates that people follow a series of predictable steps to seek help for their inadequacies, it is a series of well-ordered and purposeful cognitive and behavioral steps, each leading to specific types of solutions. Help seeking theory falls into two categories where some consider similarity in the process' while others consider it as dependent upon the problem. In general help seeking behaviors are dependent upon three categories, attitudes towards help-seeking, intention to seek help, and actual help-seeking behavior.
Types
Help seeking behavior is divided into two types, adaptive behavior and non-adaptive behavior. It is adaptive when exercised to overcome a difficulty and it depends upon the person's recognition, insight and dimension of the problem and resources for solvingthe same, this is valued as an active strategy. It is non-adaptive when the behavior persists even after understanding and experiencing the problem solving mechanism and when used for avoidance. Dynamic barriers in seeking help can also affect active process. Nelson-Le Gall distinguished between instrumental help-seeking, which she regarded as being essential for learning, and passive :wikt:dependency|dependency.
Public health
Help seeking behavior in public health is divided into following steps:
Self-care: Self-evaluation and self-administration for the physical or psychological problem.
Social networks: Seeking information to eradicate the problem through community resources.
Helpers: Seeking help from informal and formal helpers related to the field.
Gatekeepers: They are incoming form of help from the community by understanding the presence of problem and they are resourceful members of a community who can link/direct the person in need with potential sources of help.
Psychological investigations
Help-seeking has received a lot of research attention in academic contexts. Karabenick & Newman, 2006 Help-seeking behaviors are often linked to goal-orientation theory, with mastery-oriented students being more likely to manifestadaptive strategies and performance-oriented students being more likely to manifest non-adaptive strategies. Several researchers have found that women have significantly more positive attitudes than men towards seeking help from professional psychologists. Shea & Yeh, 2008 When facing need, students with high self-efficacy tend to manifest high help-seeking behavior, whereas students with low self-efficacy are, under similar circumstances, more reluctant to seek help. In 2011 it was reexamined and peer reviewed that affiliation cues can prime people to seek help in closed group contexts.
