Document Type

Article

Language

eng

Publication Date

Winter 1996

Publisher

American Psychological Association

Source Publication

Psychotherapy

Source ISSN

0033-3204

Abstract

Examined informal social support during the process of seeking psychotherapy, conceptualized as four steps: realizing there is a problem; deciding therapy might help; deciding to seek therapy; and contacting the clinic. 315 psychotherapy applicants (aged 18–62 yrs) completed a questionnaire asking them whether they had talked to anyone about the problem prior to seeking therapy, whether they had help at any of the steps, and from whom they had obtained such help. Results indicated that social support was important across the process. Almost three-fourths of all Ss had help with at least 2 of the 4 steps, and almost one-third had help at all 4. Younger applicants had more help. Males more frequently had help from a spouse or romantic partner than females. Medical professionals were used primarily for referral to the clinic, rather than as sources of help at earlier steps.

Comments

Accepted version. Psychotherapy, Vol. 33, No. 4 (Winter 1996): 617-627. DOI. © 2019 American Psychological Association. Used with permission.

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