Gender differences in adolescents’ help-seeking behaviours and intentions for psychosocial problems in led outdoor activities

Abstract

Many adolescents who experience psychosocial problems do not often seek help. Help-seeking behaviours and intentions are influenced by personal, social, and structural factors, and they differ by gender. Help-seeking has not been investigated in the led outdoor activity (LOA) domain, in which thousands of adolescents participate annually. The present study investigated gender differences in adolescents’ help-seeking behaviours and intentions for psychosocial problems in LOAs. Existing data from the ‘Understanding and Preventing Led Outdoor Accidents Data System’ (UPLOADS) was analysed to investigate adolescents’ help-seeking behaviours. Additionally, data from an online survey was analysed to investigate adolescents’ help-seeking intentions. More female adolescents sought help for a psychosocial problem compared to male adolescents, but more male adolescents were observed to have experienced a psychosocial problem compared to female adolescents. There were no gender differences in help-seeking intentions. It is recommended that the LOA sector develop gender-specific strategies to encourage adolescents’ help-seeking behaviours.