Home⇛Journal of Interdisciplinary Perspectives⇛vol. 3 no. 10 (2025)

Between Need and Hesitation: Analysis on the Social Factors Affecting Student Help-Seeking Behavior

Abusailan P. Akmad

Discipline: psychology (non-specific)

 

Abstract:

In academic environments, students’ willingness or hesitation to seek help can significantly influence both their learning outcomes and emotional well-being, yet complex factors often shape this behavior. This study analyzed the social factors affecting students’ help-seeking behavior in academic settings, focusing on fear of judgment and stigma, teacher approachability, and cultural and institutional norms. Employing a quantitative descriptive-correlation research approach, data were gathered through surveys that measured students’ perceptions related to these variables. Statistical analyses revealed a strong positive correlation between fear of judgment and cultural/institutional norms that discourage help-seeking (r = +0.660, p < 0.001). At the same time, teacher approachability showed moderate negative correlations with both fear of judgment (r = –0.318, p = 0.025) and cultural/institutional norms (r = –0.478, p < 0.001). Results indicated that students moderately agree that social stigma, peer pressure, and cultural expectations inhibit their willingness to seek help, whereas approachable and empathetic teachers significantly encourage help-seeking behaviors. The findings highlight the complex interaction between internalized social stigma, cultural values promoting self-reliance, and institutional factors such as competitive school environments that together shape students’ help-seeking decisions. This suggests that efforts to improve academic support should include stigma-reduction programs, culturally responsive policies, and fostering positive teacher– student relationships to normalize help-seeking as a strength rather than a weakness. Creating an inclusive educational environment where students feel safe and supported in seeking assistance can enhance both their academic success and emotional well-being.



References:

  1. Adebayo, Y. O., Adesiyan, R. E., Amadi, C. S., Ipede, O., Karakitie, L. O., & Adebayo, K. T. (2024). Cross-cultural perspectives on mental health: Understanding variations and promoting cultural competence. World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 23(1), 432–439. https://doi.org/10.30574/wjarr.2024.23.1.2040
  2. Bhandari, P. (2022). Correlational research: Guide, design & examples. Scribbr. Retrieved from https://tinyurl.com/2jsx8ry4
  3. Chang, J., Wang, S.-W., Mancini, C., McGrath-Mahrer, B., & Orama de Jesus, S. (2020). The complexity of cultural mismatch in higher education: Norms affecting first-generation college students’ coping and help-seeking behaviors. Cultural Diversity & Ethnic Minority Psychology, 26(3), 280–294. https://doi.org/10.1037/cdp0000311
  4. Durani, S. (2024). Culture and judgment: Exploring the influence of cultural norms. Academia World News. Retrieved from https://tinyurl.com/tk6j88p9
  5. Emslander, V., Holzberger, D., Ofstad, S. B., Fischbach, A., & Scherer, R. (2025). Teacher–student relationships and student outcomes: A systematic second-order meta-analytic review. Psychological Bulletin, 151(3), 365–397. https://doi.org/10.1037/bul0000461
  6. Graham, C. R., Borup, J., Tuiloma, S., Martínez Arias, A., Parra Caicedo, D. M., & Larsen, R. (2023). Institutional support for academic engagement in online and blended learning environments. Online Learning Journal, 27(1), 1–25. https://doi.org/10.24059/olj.v27i3.4001
  7. Jeng, A. (2024). Individualism and collectivism’s impact on students’ academic helping interactions: An integrative review. Social Psychology of Education, 27, 2771–2807. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11218-024-09920-4
  8. Karabenick, S. A., & Gonida, E. (2024). Help-seeking research in education: Current developments and future directions. Educational Psychologist, 59(1), 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1080/00461520.2023.2256419
  9. Li, R., Che Hassan, N., & Saharuddin, N. (2023). College students’ academic help-seeking behavior: A systematic literature review. Behavioral Sciences, 13(8), Article 637. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs13080637
  10. Lyu, C. (2023). Examining the impact of fear of negative evaluation on prosocial behavior. International Journal of Scientific and Management Research, 6(7), 141–160. https://doi.org/10.37502/IJSMR.2023.6709
  11. Makara, K., & Karabenick, S. A. (2023). The social dimensions of academic help-seeking: Implications for theory and intervention. Learning and Instruction, 85, 101740. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.learninstruc.2022.101740
  12. Makara, K., Lin, M., & Cheung, R. (2024). Digital learning environments and hidden help-seeking barriers. Computers & Education, 205, 104859. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2023.104859
  13. Martinez, R., & Wighting, M. (2023). Teacher–student relationships: Impact of positive behavioral interventions and supports. Athens Journal of Education, 10(3), 397–410. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1399789.pdf
  14. Nerland, M. (2020). Exploring student participation challenges in student-centred learning environments. In M. Elken, P. Maassen, M. Nerland, T. Prøitz, B. Stensaker, & A. Vabø (Eds.), Quality work in higher education (Higher Education Dynamics, Vol. 54, pp. 97–118). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-41757-4_6
  15. Ng, H. K. Y. (2025). Self-stigma in academic help-seeking: A comparative study of first-generation and continuing-generation university students. In the 11th International Conference on Higher Education Advances (HEAd’25). https://doi.org/10.4995/HEAd25.2025.20137
  16. Nyatanga, P., & Volet, S. (2023). Threats to self-image in academic help-seeking: A sociocultural perspective. British Journal of Educational Psychology, 93(2), 447–466. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjep.12550
  17. Prananto, K., Cahyadi, S., Lubis, F. Y., et al. (2025). Perceived teacher support and student engagement among higher education students – A systematic literature review. BMC Psychology, 13, Article 112. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-025-02412-w
  18. Ramos, N. G. (2025). Balancing authority and approachability: Finding the right teacher persona. DepEd Bataan Publications. Retrieved from https://tinyurl.com/yrwejsua
  19. Richards, B. N. (2020). Help-seeking behaviors as cultural capital: Cultural guides and the transition from high school to college among low-income first-generation students. Social Problems, 69(1), 241–260. https://doi.org/10.1093/socpro/spaa023
  20. Sullivan, G. M., & Artino, A. R. (2013). Analyzing and interpreting data from Likert-type scales. Journal of Graduate Medical Education, 5(4), 541–542. https://doi.org/10.4300/JGME-5-418
  21. Tan, A. G., Canda, A. M., Mutuc, R. T., Ongkengco, P. D., Reniva, D. S., Vergara, J. Q., & Francisco, S. G. (2025). Self-stigma of seeking help as a predictor of mental well-being among Filipino college students. Journal of Interdisciplinary Perspectives, 3(2), 238–247. https://doi.org/10.69569/jip.2024.0680
  22. Vaswani, M., Esses, V. M., Newby-Clark, I. R., & Giguère, B. (2022). Cultural differences in fear of negative evaluation after social norm transgressions and the impact on mental health. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, Article 804841. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.804841

Tools


Copyright © 2025  KITE Digital Educational Solutions |  Exclusively distributed by CE-Logic