Barriers to help seeking and provider preferences for sexual functioning concerns among undergraduates

Abstract

Objective

Researchers who have studied help-seeking for sexual health concerns have consistently documented that individuals, couples, and families underutilize sexual health services. Additionally, research has demonstrated that individuals endorse myriad barriers to seeking informal and formal help, especially for sexual health concerns. This study examined past, present, and future provider preferences for sexual functioning concerns. Participants: A sample of 347 undergraduate students at a large university in the Northeast United States. Methods: Participants responded to questionnaires about their help-seeking behaviors for formal and informal help sources. Results: Despite the occurrence of sexual functioning concerns in the current study, services that address sexual concerns were largely underutilized. However, barriers to seeking help and negative attitudes toward seeking help did not seem to be primary reasons for the underutilization of services for the current sample. Results also indicated that providers that focus specifically on the treatment of sexual functioning concerns are among the most underutilized services. Discussion: Implications for sexual health providers based on results are provided.

Keywords:

• Help-seeking
• provider preferences
• sexual functioning
• undergraduates