A model of intention to provide mental health first aid in college students

Abstract

Background

Psychologically distressed college students’ peers are often the first line of mental health support. Mental health first aid (MHFA) focuses on the quality of early intervention provided by peers to those in psychological distress but has neglected what motivates college students to provide MHFA.

Aims

The current study used the MHFA framework and bystander theory as a foundation to examine factors influencing college students’ intention to provide MHFA.

Methods

Participants were 778 U.S. college students from a larger group of college students (N = 29,765) from the 2015–2016 Healthy Minds Study archival dataset. Secondary data analysis using path analysis modeling was used to test for both direct and indirect effects.

Results

The specified path analysis model demonstrated exact fit to the data, χ²(67) = 82.359, p = 0.098. Personal stigma decreased MHFA intention, whereas both perceived MHFA efficacy and personal responsibility increased MHFA intention. Of note, perceiving campus climate as supportive of helping others indirectly increased MHFA intention.

Conclusions

The current study supports a theory-driven framework rooted in the MHFA and bystander theory literature that could facilitate targeted interventions aimed at improving mental health prevention via college student prosocial behavior.

Keywords:

• Mental health first aid
• bystander theory
• informal support
• help-seeking
• college health

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.