When faced with a problem that one cannot handle alone, consulting others is an important and adaptive help-seeking behavior. However, there are also inappropriate help-seeking behaviors, such as excessive help-seeking behaviors that rely on others even for trivial matters and avoidance behaviors that do not request help from others even when it is
necessary. Nagai (2017) found that high levels of anxiety and avoidance in attachment were associated with help-seeking avoidance behavior. We hypothesized that the way people with attachment problems perceive the help-seeking behavior of consulting results in not consulting others. We examined the relationship between attachment and the perception of the cost of consulting others.
Methods
Subjects were 117 college students (27 males, 90 females, 1 unknown). ECR-RS-GO attachment scale (Nakao, Murakami, & Kazui, 2019), Benefits and Costs of Consultative Behavior Scale (Nagai & Arai, 2008), and Free description etc.
Results and Discussion
According to the results of multiple regression analysis, both high anxiety and high avoidance in attachment influenced how they perceived the cost of consulting. They tended to perceive 1) that if they consulted, they would receive a negative response from the other person (p<.01), 2) that they would be divulging secrets(p<.01), and 3) that consulting would result to an admission by themselves that they were weak (p<.01). Moreover, only 3) Perceiving that to ask for help is to lower one's self-esteem inhibited help-seeking behavior(p<.01). Therefore, we discussed what is needed to seek help based on the free responses.

Authors:
Kumiko Yoshitake, Nagasaki Junshin Catholic University, Japan
Takeshi Sato, Nagasaki Junshin Catholic University, Japan
Yuki Inoue, Nagasaki Junshin Catholic University, Japan

About the Presenter(s)
Dr Kumiko Yoshitake is a University Professor/Principal Lecturer at Nagasaki Junshin Catholic University in Japan

See this presentation on the full schedule – On Demand Schedule

Bookmark

---

A Note to Presenters

To enhance academic profiles and showcase research, we encourage all presenters and co-presenters to include links to their public LinkedIn, ResearchGate profile, and research websites. Presenters may update their bio for their presentation by completing the form linked below by October 22, 2024.
- Presenter Information Update Form
Submitted changes will be reflected on November 01, 2024

Additionally, presenters should also update their IAFOR account details if there have been any changes to affiliations or biographies.
- https://submit.iafor.org/my-account/edit-account