Exploring the Role of Perceived Social Support on Mental Help-Seeking Behavior among LGBTQ Young Adults

Sidhanth Ashok, Saranya T. S.

Abstract: The purpose of the current study is to explore the relationship between Perceived Social Support, and Mental Help - Seeking Behavior among LGBTQ young adults. The research design of choice was exploratory. The sample size comprised 65 young adults, from the LGBTQ community, within the age range of 21 - 25, residing in Bangalore. The participants were gathered via the convenience sampling method, due to the scarcity of the desired population. The inventories employed upon the participants were the Mental Help Seeking Attitudes Scale (Joseph H. Hammer.2018), and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (D. Zimet, Dahlem, G. Zimet and Farely.2018). The method of data analysis used was correlation, and the results revealed that there is a significant relationship between Perceived Social Support and Mental Help - Seeking Behavior among the participants. The findings further revealed that despite the participants lacking support from family, it was shown they were getting support from a reliable friend or a special person, which could possibly be insinuated as a romantic partner or a close friend. It also showcased that the lack of support from family leads to more Mental Help - Seeking Behaviors among LGBTQ young adults due to a lack of reliable people in their lives. The results of the present study play a vital role in showcasing the characteristics of how different types of relationships, play a significant function in influencing the manner in which LGGTQ young adults seek mental health help.

Keywords: LGBTQ, Young Adults, Perceived Social Support, Mental Help - Seeking Behavior, Family support, Friend support