Rodgers' Evolutionary Concept Analysis: Mental Health Help-seeking for Adolescents

Purpose: This study conducted a concept analysis of mental health help-seeking among adolescents using Rodgers’ evolutionary approach to analyze the concept. Methods: This concept analysis employed Rodgers' evolutionary framework and conducted a comprehensive literature review across multiple databases including PubMed, Web of Science, CINAHL, PsycARTICLES, EMBASE, and RISS spanning from 1991 to 2025. The search strategy utilized population-related terms ('adolescent' OR 'school-aged student') combined with concept-related terms('mental health help-seeking' OR 'mental health help-seeking behavior') to identify relevant literature. Finally, 24 relevant literatures were selected. Results: Mental health help-seeking is a psychological construct encompassing several attributes, including facing difficulty in seeking help, disclosure to reference group, selection of help sources, and engagement with the service. This trait is influenced by various antecedents, including emotional crisis, recognition of the need for help and awareness of mental health resources. The consequences of mental health help-seeking are improved coping skills, social support and stigma. Conclusion: This study presents a definition of the concept by deriving attributes and indicators and providing basic data for future scale development and organizing nursing intervention programs for adolescent mental health.