368
Views
2
CrossRef citations to date
0
Altmetric
Original Articles

Attitudes toward Help-Seeking for Sexual Problems among College Women

ORCID Icon, , ORCID Icon &

References

  • Ajzen, I. (1991). The theory of planned behavior. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 50(2), 179–211. https://doi.org/10.1016/0749-5978(91)90020-T
  • Ajzen, I. (2002). Perceived behavioral control, self-efficacy, locus of control, and the theory of planned behavior. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 32(4), 665–683. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1559-1816.2002.tb00236.x
  • Ajzen, I. (2006). Constructing a theory of planned behavior questionnaire. https://people.umass.edu/aizen/pdf/tpb.measurement
  • Armitage, C. J., & Conner, M. (2001). Efficacy of the theory of planned behaviour: A meta-analytic review. British Journal of Social Psychology, 40(4), 471–499. https://doi.org/10.1348/014466601164939
  • Ayling, K., & Ussher, J. M. (2008). “If sex hurts, am I still a woman?” The subjective experience of vulvodynia in hetero-sexual women. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 37(2), 294–304. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-007-9204-1
  • Bergvall, L., & Himelein, M. J. (2014). Attitudes toward seeking help for sexual dysfunctions among US and Swedish college students. Sexual and Relationship Therapy, 29(2), 215–228. https://doi.org/10.1080/14681994.2013.860222
  • Braksmajer, A. (2018). Struggles for medical legitimacy among women experiencing sexual pain: A qualitative study. Women & Health, 58(4), 419–433. https://doi.org/10.1080/03630242.2017.1306606
  • Burnes, T. R., Singh, A. A., & Witherspoon, R. G. (2017). Graduate counseling psychology training in sex and sexuality: An exploratory analysis. The Counseling Psychologist, 45(4), 504–527. https://doi.org/10.1177/0011000017714765
  • Choi, N.-Y., & Miller, M. J. (2014). AAPI college students’ willingness to seek counseling: The role of culture, stigma, and attitudes. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 61(3), 340–351. https://doi.org/10.1037/cou0000027
  • Choi, N., & Miller, M. J. (2014). AAPI college students’ willingness to seek counseling: The role of culture, stigma, and attitudes. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 61(3), 340–351. https://dx.doi.org/10.1037.10.1037/cou0000027
  • Corrigan, P. W., & Rao, D. (2012). On the self-stigma of mental illness: Stages, disclosure, and strategies for change. Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 57(8), 464–469. https://doi.org/10.1177/070674371205700804
  • Cruz, C., Greenwald, E., & Sandil, R. (2017). Let’s talk about sex: Integrating sex positivity in counseling psychology practice. The Counseling Psychologist, 45(4), 547–569. https://doi.org/10.1177/0011000017714763
  • Curtin, N., Ward, L. M., Merriwether, A., & Caruthers, A. (2011). Femininity ideology and sexual health in young women: A focus on sexual knowledge, embodiment, and agency. International Journal of Sexual Health, 23(1), 48–62. https://doi.org/10.1080/19317611.2010.524694
  • Dodeen, H. M. (2003). Effectiveness of valid mean substitution in treating missing data in attitude assessment. Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education, 28(5), 505–513. https://doi.org/10.1080/02602930301674
  • Donaldson, R. L., & Meana, M. (2011). Early dyspareunia experience in young women: Confusion, consequences, and help-seeking barriers. The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 8(3), 814–823. https://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1743-6109.2010.02150.x
  • Dubé, J. P., Corsini-Munt, S., Muise, A., & Rosen, N. O. (2019). Emotion Regulation in Couples Affected by Female Sexual Interest/Arousal Disorder. Archives of Sexual Behavior. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-019-01465-4
  • Eisenberg, D., Gobertstein, E., & Gollust, S. E. (2007). Help-seeking and access to mental health care in a university student population. Medical Care, 45(7), 594–601. https://doi.org/10.1097/MLR.0b013e31803bb4c1
  • Elmerstig, E., Wijma, B., & Berterö, C. (2008). Why do young women continue to have sexual intercourse despite pain? The Journal of Adolescent Health, 43(4), 357–363. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2008.02.011
  • Elmerstig, E., Wijma, B., & Swahnberg, K. (2013). Prioritizing the partner's enjoyment: a population-based study on young Swedish women with experience of pain during vaginal intercourse. Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 34(2), 82–89. https://doi.org/10.3109/0167482X.2013.793665
  • Fitter, J., Hayter, M., & Wylie, K. R. (2009). What factors influence individuals and couples to seek help for sexual and/or relationship difficulties from primary care professionals: An exploratory qualitative study. Sexual and Relationship Therapy, 24(3–4), 333–346. https://doi.org/10.1080/14681990902829547
  • Fredrickson, B. L., & Roberts, T.-A. (1997). Objectification theory: Toward understanding women’s lived experiences and mental health risks. Psychology of Women Quarterly, 21(2), 173–206. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1471-6402.1997.tb00108.x
  • Galinsky, A. M., & Sonenstein, F. L. (2011). The association between developmental assets and sexual enjoyment among emerging adults. Journal of Adolescent Health, 48(6), 610–615. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2010.09.008
  • Garneau-Fournier, J., McBain, S., Torrest, T., & Turchik, J. (2017). Sexual dysfunction problems in female college students: Sexual victimization, substance use, and personality factors. Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, 43(1), 24–39. https://doi.org/10.1080/0092623X.2015.1113595
  • Grose, R. G., Grabe, S., & Kohfeldt, D. (2014). Sexual education, gender ideology, and youth sexual empowerment. The Journal of Sex Research, 51(7), 742–753. https://doi.org/10.1080/00224499.2013.809511
  • Hammer, J. H., & Vogel, D. L. (2013). Assessing the utility of the willingness/prototype model in predicting help-seeking decisions. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 60(1), 83–97. https://dx.doi.org/10.1037/a0030449
  • Hendrickx, L., Gijs, L., & Enzlin, P. (2014). Prevalence rates of sexual difficulties and associated distress in heterosexual men and women: Results from an Internet survey in Flanders. The Journal of Sex Research, 51(1), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1080/00224499.2013.819065
  • Hess, T. R., & Tracey, T. J. (2013). Psychological help-seeking intentionamong college students across three problem areas. Journal of Counsel-ing and Development, 91, 321–330. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/j.1556-6676.2013.00100.x
  • Hess, T. R., & Tracey, T. J. G. (2013). Psychological help-seeking intention among college students across three problem areas. Journal of Counseling & Development, 91(3), 321–330. https://dx.doi.org/10.1002/j.1556-6676.2013.00100.x
  • Hill, M. S., & Fischer, A. R. (2008). Examining objectification theory: Lesbian and heterosexual women’s experiences with sexual- and self-objectification. The Counseling Psychologist, 36(5), 745–776. https://doi.org/10.1177/0011000007301669
  • Hogue, J. V., Rosen, N. O., Bockaj, A., Impett, E. A., & Muise, A. (2019). Sexual communal motivation in couples coping with low sexual interest/arousal: Associations with sexual well-being and sexual goals. PLoS ONE, 14(7), e0219768. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0219768
  • Hunter, M. S., Grunfeld, E. A., & Ramirez, A. J. (2003). Help-seeking intentions for breast-cancer symptoms: A comparison of the self-regulation model and the theory of planned behaviour. British Journal of Health Psychology, 8(3), 319–333. https://doi.org/10.1348/135910703322370888
  • Impett, E. A., Muise, A., & Harasymchuk, C. (2019). Giving in the bedroom: The costs and benefits of responding to a partner’s sexual needs in daily life. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 36(8), 2455–2473. https://doi.org/10.1177/0265407518787349
  • Impett, E. A., Schooler, D., & Tolman, D. L. (2006). To be seen and not heard: Femininity ideology and adolescent girls’ sexual health. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 35(2), 129–142. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-005-9016-0
  • Jensen Arnett, J. (2015). Socialization in emerging adulthood: From the family to the wider world, from socialization to self-socialization. In J. E. Grusec & P. D. Hastings (Eds.), Handbook of socialization: Theory and research (pp. 85–108). The Guilford Press.
  • Kaler, A. (2006). Unreal women: Sex, gender, identity and the lived experience of vulvar pain. Feminist Review, 82(1), 50–75. https://doi.org/10.1057/palgrave.fr.9400262
  • Kendurkaur, A., & Kaur, B. (2008). Major depressive disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder: Do the sexual dysfunctions differ? Primary Care Companion to the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 10(4), 299–305. https://doi.org/10.4088/PCC.v10n0405
  • Kiefer, A. K., & Sanchez, D. T. (2007). Scripting sexual passivity: A gender role perspective. Personal Relationships, 14(2), 269–290. https://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-6811.2007.00154.x
  • Kline, R. B. (2016). Methodology in the social sciences. Principles and practice of structural equation modeling (4th ed.). Guilford Press.
  • Kuyper, L., & Vanwesenbeeck, I. (2011). Examining sexual health differences between lesbian, gay, bisexual, and heterosexual adults: The role of sociodemographics, sexual behavior characteristics, and minority stress. The Journal of Sex Research, 48(2–3), 263–274. https://doi.org/10.1080/00224491003654473
  • Lambda Legal. (2010). When health care isn’t caring: LGBT women1 results from Lambda Legal’s health care fairness survey. https://www.lambdalegal.org/sites/default/files/publications/downloads/whcic-insert_lgbt-women.pdf
  • Laumann, E. O., Paik, A., & Rosen, R. C. (1999). Sexual dysfunction in the United States: Prevalence and predictors. Journal of the American Medical Association, 281(6), 537–544. https://dx.doi.org/10.1001/jama.281.6.537
  • Laurent, S. M., & Simons, A. D. (2009). Sexual dysfunction in depression and anxiety: Conceptualizing sexual dysfunction as part of an internalizing dimension. Clinical Psychology Review, 29(7), 573–585. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2009.06.007
  • Lin, C., Oveisi, S., Burri, A., & Pakpour, A. H. (2017). Theory of planned behavior including self-stigma and perceived barriers explain help-seeking behavior for sexual problems in Iranian women suffering from epilepsy. Epilepsy & Behavior, 68, 123–128. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yebeh.2017.01.010
  • Lykins, A. D., Janssen, E., & Graham, C. A. (2006). The relationship between negative mood and sexuality in heterosexual college women and men. The Journal of Sex Research, 43(2), 136–143. https://doi.org/10.1080/00224490609552308
  • Mahalik, J. R., Morray, E. B., Coonerty-Femiano, A., Ludlow, L. H., Slattery, S. M., & Smiler, A. (2005). Development of the Conformity to Feminine Norms Inventory. Sex Roles, 52(7), 417–435. https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11199-005-3709-7
  • Marriott, C., & Thompson, A. R. (2008). Managing threats to femininity: Personal and interpersonal experience of living with vulval pain. Psychology & Health, 23(2), 243–258. https://doi.org/10.1080/14768320601168185
  • Mo, P. K. H., & Mak, W. W. S. (2009). Help-seeking for mental health problems among Chinese: The application and extension of the theory of planned behavior. Social Psychiatry Psychiatric Epidemiology, 44(8), 675–684. https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00127-008-0484-0
  • Moreira, E. D., Brock, G., Glasser, D. B., Nicolosi, A., Laumann, E. O., Paik, A., and Gingell, C. (2005). Help-seeking behaviour for sexual problems: The Global Study of Sexual Attitudes and Behaviors. International Journal of Clinical Practice, 59(1), 6–16. h ttps://d oi.org/unco.idm.oclc.org/10. 1111/j.1742-1241.2005. 00382.x
  • Moreno-Domínguez, S., Raposo, T., & Elipe, P. (2019). Body image and sexual dissatisfaction: Differences among heterosexual, bisexual, and lesbian women. Frontiers in Psychology, 10, 903. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00903
  • Murnen, S. K., & Smolak, L. (2009). Are feminist women protected from body image problems? A meta-analytic review of relevant research. Sex Roles: A Journal of Research, 60(3–4), 186–197. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11199-008-9523-2
  • Murray, C., Pope, A., & Willis, B. (2016). Sexuality counseling: Theory, research, and practice. Sage Publications.
  • Muthén, L. K., & Muthén, B. O. (1998–2012). Mplus user’s guide (7th ed.). Los Angeles, CA: Authors.
  • Normansell, R., Drennan, V. M., & Oakeshott, P. (2015). Exploring access and attitudes to regular sexually transmitted infection screening: The views of young, multi-ethnic, inner-city, female students. Health Expectations, 19(2), 322–330. https://dx.doi.org/10.1111/hex.12354
  • O’Sullivan, L. F., Brotto, L. A., Byers, E. S., Majerovich, J. A., & Wuest, J. A. (2014). Prevalence and characteristics of sexual functioning among sexually experienced middle to late adolescents. The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 11(3), 630–641. https://doi.org/10.1111/jsm.12419
  • O’Sullivan, L. F., & Majerovich, J. (2008). Difficulties with sexual functioning in a sample of male and female late adolescent and young adult university students. The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality, 17(3), 109–121.
  • O’Sullivan, L. F., & Pasterski, V. (2014). Sexual problems in adolescents and young adults. In Y. M. Binik & K. Hall (Eds.), Principles and practices of sex therapy (5th ed., pp. 511–524). Guilford Publications.
  • Parent, M. C., & Moradi, B. (2010). Confirmatory factor analysis of the conformity to feminine norms inventory and development of an abbreviated version: The CFNI-45. Psychology of Women Quarterly, 34(1), 97–109. https://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1471-6402.2009.01545.x
  • Parnell, K. J., & Hammer, J. H. (2018). Deciding on couple therapy: The role of masculinity in relationship help-seeking. Psychology of Men & Masculinity, 19(2), 212–222. https://dx.doi.org/10.1037/men0000098
  • Rochlen, A. B., & O’Brien, K. M. (2002). The relation of male gender role conflict and attitudes toward career counseling to interest in and preferences for different career counseling styles. Psychology of Men & Masculinity, 3(1), 9–21. https://doi.org/10.1037/1524-9220.3.1.9
  • Rosen, N. O., Dubé, J., Corsini-Munt, S., & Muise, A. (2019). Sexual, relational, and psychological adjustment of women with sexual interest/arousal disorder and their partners: A comparison to control couples. Journal of Sexual Medicine, 16(1), 83–95. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jsxm.2018.10.018
  • Sanchez, D. T. & Kiefer, A. K. (2007). Body concerns in and out of the bedroom: Implications for sexual pleasure and problems. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 36, 808–820. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-007-9205-0
  • Schooler, D., Ward, L. M., Merriwether, A., & Caruthers, A. S. (2005). Cycles of shame: Menstrual shame, body shame, and sexual decision-making. Journal of Sex Research, 42(4), 324–334
  • Shallcross, R., Dickson, J. M., Nunns, D., Mackenzie, C., & Kiemle, G. (2018). Women’s subjective experiences of living with vulvodynia: A systematic review and meta-ethnography. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 47(3), 577–595. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-017-1026-1
  • Shea, M., Nguyen, K. K., Wong, Y. J., & Gonzalez, P. D. (2019). College students’ barriers to seeking mental health counseling: Scale development and psychometric evaluation. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 66(5), 626–639. https://dx.doi.org/10.1037/cou0000356
  • Shea, M., Wong, J., Nguyen, K. K., & Baghdasarian, S. (2017). College women’s subjective femininity stress, gender solidarity, and psychological help-seeking intentions. The Counseling Psychologist, 45(3), 438–461. https://doi.org/10.1177/0011000017701820
  • Shifren, J. L., Monz, B. U., Russo, P. A., Segreti, A., & Johannes, B. (2008). Sexual problems and distress in United States women: Prevalence and correlates. Obstetrics & Gynecology, 112(5), 970–978. https://doi.org/10.1097/AOG.0b013e3181898cdb
  • Siegel, J. A., & Calogero, R. M. (2019). Conformity to feminine norms and self-objectification in self-identified feminist and non-feminist women. Body Image, 28, 115–118. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2019.01.005
  • Smith, J. P., Tran, G. Q., & Thompson, R. D. (2008). Can the theory of planned behavior help explain men’s psychological help-seeking? Evidence for a mediation effect and clinical implications. Psychology of Men & Masculinity, 9(3), 179–192. https://dx.doi.org/10.1037/a0012158
  • Spiker, D. A., Hammer, J. H., & Parnell, K. J. (2019). Men in unhappy relationships: Perceptions of couple therapy. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 36(7), 2015–2035. https://doi.org/10.1177/0265407518775537
  • Szymanski, D. M. (2020). Sexual objectification, internalization, and college women’s depression: The role of shame. The Counseling Psychologist, 48(1), 135–156. https://doi.org/10.1177/0011000019878847
  • Tambling, R. B., & Reckert, A. (2014). Self-reported sexual functioning concerns among undergraduate students. American Journal of Sexuality Education, 9(4), 428–444. https://doi.org/10.1080/15546128.2014.976300
  • Turchik, J. A., & Hassija, C. M. (2014). Female sexual victimization among college students: Assault severity, health risk behaviors, and sexual functioning. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 29(13), 2439–2457. https://doi.org/10.1177/0886260513520230
  • Vogel, D. L., & Heath, P. J. (2016). Men, masculinities, and help-seeking patterns. In Y. J. Wong & S. R. Wester (Eds.), APA handbooks in psychology®. APA handbook of men and masculinities (pp. 685–707). American Psychological Association. https://doi.org/10.1037/14594-031
  • Vogel, D. L., Strass, H. A., Heath, P. J., Al-Darmaki, F. R., Armstrong, P. I., Baptista, M. N., … Zlati, A. (2017). Stigma of seeking psychological services: Examining college students across ten countries/regions. The Counseling Psychologist, 45(2), 170–192. https://doi.org/10.1177/0011000016671411
  • Vogel, D. L., Wade, N. G., & Haake, S. (2006). Measuring the self-stigma associated with seeking psychological help. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 53(3), 325–337. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-0167.53.3.325
  • Weston, R., & Gore, P. A. (2006). A brief guide to structural equation modeling. The Counseling Psychologist, 34(5), 719–751. https://doi.org/10.1177/001100006286345
  • Woertman, L., & van Den Brink, F. (2012). Body image and female sexual functioning and behavior: A review. The Journal of Sex Research, 49(2–3), 184–211. https://doi.org/10.1080/00224499.2012.658586
  • Wu, C., Wang, K., Sun, T., Xu, D., & Palmer, M. H. (2015). Predicting help-seeking intention of women with urinary incontinence in Jinan, China: A theory of planned behavior model. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 24(3–4), 457–464. https://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jocn.12623
  • Yamamiya, Y., Cash, T. F., & Thompson, J. K. (2006). Sexual experiences among college women: The differential effects of general versus contextual body images of sexuality. Sex Roles, 44(5–6), 421–427. https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11199-006-9096-x

Reprints and Corporate Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

To request a reprint or corporate permissions for this article, please click on the relevant link below:

Academic Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

Obtain permissions instantly via Rightslink by clicking on the button below:

If you are unable to obtain permissions via Rightslink, please complete and submit this Permissions form. For more information, please visit our Permissions help page.