Ready to change? Predicting adolescents' help-seeking for relationship concerns

Jeremy B. Kanter; Daniel G. Lannin; Luke T. Russell; Ani Yazedjian

doi:10.1111/pere.12388

Ready to change? Predicting adolescents' help-seeking for relationship concerns

Jeremy B. Kanter, Daniel G. Lannin, Luke T. Russell, Ani Yazedjian

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

Although therapy, relationship education, and online relationship resources may help alleviate relational distress, many adolescents and adults eschew help. Deciding to seek help for relationship concerns involves mental processes that reflect behavioral intentions and information-seeking behaviors. The present paper examines the prevalence of adolescents' (N = 183) intentions and behaviors to seek relationship help, and investigates determinants of such decisions. Results indicate that only readiness to change was consistently associated with help-seeking decisions. In contrast, other factors varied, with relationship status associated only with future intentions, and family difficulties associated only with behaviors to seek relational assistance. Programs may benefit from considering methods of disseminating information and encouraging adolescents to reflect upon reasons for considering making changes.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	652-666
Number of pages	15
Journal	Personal Relationships
Volume	28
Issue number	3
Early online date	Jun 21 2021
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1111/pere.12388
State	Published - Sep 2021
Externally published	Yes

Keywords

dating
decision making
families

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Social Psychology
Developmental and Educational Psychology
Anthropology
Life-span and Life-course Studies

Online availability

10.1111/pere.12388

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title = "Ready to change? Predicting adolescents' help-seeking for relationship concerns",

abstract = "Although therapy, relationship education, and online relationship resources may help alleviate relational distress, many adolescents and adults eschew help. Deciding to seek help for relationship concerns involves mental processes that reflect behavioral intentions and information-seeking behaviors. The present paper examines the prevalence of adolescents' (N = 183) intentions and behaviors to seek relationship help, and investigates determinants of such decisions. Results indicate that only readiness to change was consistently associated with help-seeking decisions. In contrast, other factors varied, with relationship status associated only with future intentions, and family difficulties associated only with behaviors to seek relational assistance. Programs may benefit from considering methods of disseminating information and encouraging adolescents to reflect upon reasons for considering making changes.",

keywords = "dating, decision making, families",

author = "Kanter, {Jeremy B.} and Lannin, {Daniel G.} and Russell, {Luke T.} and Ani Yazedjian",

note = "Funding for this research was provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families (Grant #90FM0076). Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this paper are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families.",

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AU - Lannin, Daniel G.

AU - Russell, Luke T.

AU - Yazedjian, Ani

N1 - Funding for this research was provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families (Grant #90FM0076). Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this paper are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families.

PY - 2021/9

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N2 - Although therapy, relationship education, and online relationship resources may help alleviate relational distress, many adolescents and adults eschew help. Deciding to seek help for relationship concerns involves mental processes that reflect behavioral intentions and information-seeking behaviors. The present paper examines the prevalence of adolescents' (N = 183) intentions and behaviors to seek relationship help, and investigates determinants of such decisions. Results indicate that only readiness to change was consistently associated with help-seeking decisions. In contrast, other factors varied, with relationship status associated only with future intentions, and family difficulties associated only with behaviors to seek relational assistance. Programs may benefit from considering methods of disseminating information and encouraging adolescents to reflect upon reasons for considering making changes.

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Ready to change? Predicting adolescents' help-seeking for relationship concerns

Abstract

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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