Four Pillars of Help-Seeking Attitudes: Emotional, Societal, Cognitive, and Relational Insights From New Zealand Youth

The primary objective of this research is to explore the discourse of young people in New Zealand regarding their attitudes toward seeking help, with a particular focus on the self-stigma that seeking help is viewed as a “weakness.” The study comprises a diverse sample of 668 young people (16–21 years) in New Zealand. Individuals were invited through social media to complete an online questionnaire that focuses on stress, coping, and mental health. This study adopted Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) as its qualitative research methodology. A rigorous, seven-step data analysis process was used to integrate reflexive thematic analysis with artificial intelligence. Four themes were identified: (1) “Vulnerability and Emotional Hurdles when Considering Help”; (2) “Societal Narratives and Internalized Barriers when Considering Help-Seeking”; (3) “Wisdom, Maturity, and Thought when Considering Help”; and, (4) “Humanity, Relationships, and Comparisons in Considering Help.” Sub-analyses based on participant demographics reveal important trends in the narratives influenced by gender, age, and ethnicity. The findings underscore the challenges youth face when contemplating seeking help, and provide a range of suggestions for theory and interventions.