Navigating stigma and support: a qualitative study of help-seeking for mental health challenges among Chinese university students.

Students experiencing mental health difficulties rely on internal psychological resources (PsyCap) including resilience, hope, self-efficacy, and optimism to cope.

• Study used semi-structured interviews with 30 students from a Chinese university
• Thematic analysis was used to identify themes related to internal resources
• Internal resources identified included resilience, hope, self-efficacy, and optimism
• These PsyCap components were found to influence help-seeking behaviors

Students rely on external social support networks, specifically peers and family, as coping resources for mental health challenges.

• External resources were identified as a distinct theme through thematic analysis
• Support from peers and family were the primary external resources identified
• Both internal (PsyCap) and external (social support) resources were found to work in conjunction
• Social support networks were among the first resources students turned to when experiencing mental health difficulties

Stigma and lack of mental health literacy represent significant barriers to effective help-seeking among Chinese university students.

• Stigma was identified as a major structural barrier hindering help-seeking behavior
• Lack of mental health literacy was identified as a co-occurring barrier alongside stigma
• These barriers were found despite students having access to both internal and external coping resources
• The barriers were identified through qualitative thematic analysis of 30 student interviews

Academic stress and environmental pressures influence students' mental health and shape their use of cognitive and emotional regulation strategies.

• Academic stress was identified as a structural challenge affecting mental health outcomes
• Environmental pressures were identified as a distinct contextual factor
• Students' use of cognitive regulation strategies was linked to these pressures
• Emotional regulation strategies were also identified as responses to academic and environmental stressors

A qualitative approach using semi-structured interviews with 30 Chinese university students was employed to explore help-seeking behaviors.

• Sample size was 30 students from a single Chinese university
• Data collection method was semi-structured interviews
• Thematic analysis was the analytical framework used
• The study focused on the intersection of Psychological Capital (PsyCap) and perceived social support in help-seeking contexts