Psychometric properties of the English and Filipino version of the inventory of attitudes towards seeking mental help services

ABSTRACT

This paper examined the psychometric properties of the Inventory of Attitudes Towards Seeking Mental Help (IASMHS) English and translated Filipino versions in a sample of Filipino college students and overseas migrant workers. The IASMHS three-factor solution was replicated (psychological openness, help-seeking propensity, and indifference to stigma) with both English and Filipino versions, but dropping items and adding residual covariances were needed to achieve requisites of a good model fit. Measurement invariance test indicated partial metric and scalar invariance across versions. Past use and intent to utilize mental health services were positively associated with help-seeking propensity factor, but not with psychological openness and indifference to stigma. Bivariate correlations among IASMHS factors and other help-seeking variables were also examined.

KEYWORDS:

• Philippines
• attitudes towards seeking counselling
• mental health service utilization
• help-seeking
• inventory of attitudes towards seeking mental help services

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Antover P. Tuliao

Antover P. Tuliao, Ph.D., is an assistant professor in the Department of Community, Family, and Addiction Sciences at Texas Tech University.  His research interest lies in the intersection of cross-cultural psychology, substance use issues, and help-seeking behaviors.  Dr. Tuliao received his training in clinical psychology from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln.

Maria Regina M. Hechanova

Maria Regina M. Hechanova, Ph.D., is a Full Professor at the Psychology Department, Ateneo De Manila University.  She also has over 20 years of experience as an HR practitioner and consultant both in the Philippines and in the U.S.

Pocholo Andrew E. Velasquez

Pocholo Andrew E. Velasquez, Ph.D., recently finished his PhD in clinical psychology from Ateneo de Manila University in 2018. He has previously co-authored studies about help-seeking among Filipinos in local and international journals.