פנייה לעזרה על-פי רכיבי המודל "איום על הערך העצמי": נוער במצבי סיכון ונוער נורמטיבי

This study examined variables which can help explain (based on components of the threat to self-esteem model), ways in which normative and at-risk adolescents turn to various sources of help. According to the model, help-receiver characteristics, help-giver characteristics, and the perception of the problem are related to a decision to seek help. Participants included 211 at-risk adolescents (recipients of youth advancement services), and 271 normative adolescents. Participants completed personality questionnaires and an attitudes questionnaire about help-seeking for personal problems. The findings indicated that two factors – the characteristics of help-seekers and help-givers – are equal contributors in explaining willingness to seek help in both groups. Help-giver characteristics contributed more in explaining variance in willingness to seek help, with the most influential factors being help-giver identity and formal and informal characteristics. Of the personality variables that were examined, self-exposure was a strong factor in explaining the variance in help-seeking willingness. The group affiliation variable, which played a major role in this study, contributed only to variance in turning to parents and friends, but not to teachers. The findings revealed that, for both groups, the choice of help-giver is greatly affected by the help-seeker's subjective perceptions of the help-giver's characteristics and identity. Therefore, adolescents should be exposed to the characteristics, roles, and unique contributions of various help-giving sources.