FREQUENCY, ADVANTAGES, DRAWBACKS AND GENDER DIFFERENCES IN SEEKING PSYCHOLOGICAL SUPPORT IN-PERSON AND ONLINE

This study examines how young adults engage with in-person psychological support (IPS) and online psychological support (OPS), with a particular focus on the frequency of use, perceived benefits, reasons for avoidance, and potential gender differences.A quantitative cross-sectional design was employed, and 379 participants (aged 18-25) completed a self-report questionnaire assessing various dimensions of help-seeking behaviour.Descriptive statistics and the chi-square test were used for data analysis.Findings reveal that IPS is used more frequently (58.8%) than OPS (46.2%), with women more likely than men to seek both forms of support.Regarding IPS, participants most frequently turn to friends and parents, while formal professional assistance, such as psychotherapists or psychologists, is considerably less common.The main perceived advantages of IPS include richer verbal and nonverbal communication, an easier assessment of sincerity, and deeper emotional connection-women value this last aspect more strongly than men.The most prominent reasons for avoiding IPS are the difficulty of opening up emotionally to people in person and the cost of professional support.OPS users most frequently cite free access, faster availability, and anonymity as key advantages.However, doubts about the credibility of online sources and a preference for independent problem-solving limit its broader usage.Men, in particular, report a greater tendency to "endure life" without informal or professional help.Interestingly, more participants report having sought support when responding to specific questions about their experience, suggesting that actual usage rates may exceed initial self-reports.Study findings highlight the coexisting roles of IPS and OPS in the help-seeking behaviours of young adults, underscoring the influence of gender, cultural context, and perceived practical barriers on their choices.