Influence of temperament and personality on help-seeking and mental health service use

Article

Spence, R. 2026. Influence of temperament and personality on help-seeking and mental health service use. American Journal of Qualitative Research. 10 (1), pp. 182-197. https://doi.org/10.29333/ajqr/17384
TypeArticle
TitleInfluence of temperament and personality on help-seeking and mental health service use
AuthorsSpence, R.
Abstract

Understanding what factors facilitate help-seeking and mental health service use is crucial given the economic and personal costs involved. Temperament and personality traits have been shown to influence the likelihood of accessing mental health services but the mechanisms driving this association remain unclear. In the current study, 29 young adults were interviewed regarding their help-seeking behavior and attitudes. Participants were chosen based on temperament and personality (disposition) profile, developed from a latent class analysis (LCA) that demonstrated four groups. Resilient: individuals with high positive affect, agreeableness and conscientiousness, Reserved: high agreeableness and conscientious, moderate inhibition and low negative affect Overcontrolled: high negative affect and inhibition, and low positive affect and Undercontrolled: high negative affect, low agreeableness and conscientiousness and moderate extraversion. Results suggest the disposition styles may influence help-seeking preferences and be associated with how young adults engage with mental health services. Therefore, disposition may be useful for services to take into account when considering how young people seek help for problems and connect with services.

Sustainable Development Goals3 Good health and well-being
Middlesex University ThemeHealth & Wellbeing
Research GroupCentre for Abuse, Trauma and Suicide Studies (CATS)
PublisherCenter for Ethnic and Cultural Studies
JournalAmerican Journal of Qualitative Research
ISSN
Electronic2576-2141
Publication dates
Print07 Nov 2025
Online2026
Publication process dates
Accepted29 Aug 2025
Deposited08 Sep 2025
Output statusAccepted
Publisher's version
License
File Access Level
Open
Copyright Statement

Copyright © 2026 by Author/s and Licensed by CECS Publications, United States. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.29333/ajqr/17384
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