Does the Common-Sense Model of Illness Representations Predict Parent Help-Seeking for Adolescent Mental Health Distress?

Background Parents can be slow to recognise that an adolescent needs help from a mental health professional, yet the factors affecting their help-seeking intentions are not well understood. The aim of this study was to test the application of the Common-Sense Model (CSM) of Illness Representations to parents’ perception of adolescent distress and intentions to seek help. Method The study employed an experimental design using video vignettes. Parents ( N = 1,176; female N = 993) of adolescents (10–19 years) were asked to self-report key demographic information, an illness perceptions questionnaire, and a measure of stigma. Results Results demonstrated that the CSM model explained 38% of the variance in help-seeking intentions. Parents were more likely to report intentions to seek help if they believed that treatment could control the adolescent’s problem (OR = 1.39), or if they believed the problem would have negative consequences (OR = 1.41). Parents who believed the problem was in the control of the adolescent, had lower help-seeking intentions (OR = .87). Conclusion The CSM provides a useful model of help-seeking intentions to guide parental education. Perceiving treatment as controlling distress or that distress would have negative consequences for an adolescent, were key predictors of parental help-seeking intentions.