title: Academic help-seeking behavior among student pharmacists.
abstract: Objectives. To identify factors associated with academic help-seeking behavior among student pharmacists at a public university.Methods. Semi-structured focus group interviews were conducted to explore in depth perceptions of facilitators of and barriers to the help-seeking behavior and academic achievement of student pharmacists who had received a D or F grade in any year. A 4-part survey instrument was developed and administered to all student pharmacists and included sections for (1) attitudes and academic help-seeking behavior, (2) health status, (3) demographics, and (4) open comments. A structural equation modeling approach was used to assess relationships among domains of interest.Results. Three student focus groups noted that helpfulness of faculty members and school administrators were 2 prominent facilitators of help-seeking behavior and academic achievement. Diminished quality of life caused by stress and depression was the primary barrier to help-seeking and achievement. Three hundred four (68.6%) student pharmacists completed the survey instrument. Academic help-seeking behavior was influenced mostly by perceived academic competence and perceived faculty helpfulness. In contrast, ambivalence and perception of help-seeking as threatening were 2 factors that were negatively associated with academic help-seeking behavior.Conclusions. Academic help-seeking behavior was positively related to greater perceived academic competence and positive relationships among student pharmacists and faculty members.
authors: University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA. npayakachat@uams.edu
authors: Nalin
authors: N
authors: Payakachat
authors: Paul O
authors: PO
authors: Gubbins
authors: Denise
authors: D
authors: Ragland
authors: Sarah E
authors: SE
authors: Norman
authors: Schwanda K
authors: SK
authors: Flowers
authors: Cindy D
authors: CD
authors: Stowe
authors: Renee M
authors: RM
authors: DeHart
authors: Anne
authors: A
authors: Pace
authors: Jan K
authors: JK
authors: Hastings
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001290:Attitude; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003479:Curriculum; D004512:Education, Pharmacy / Q000379:methods*; D004521:Educational Measurement; D004522:Educational Status; D004532:Ego; D005178:Faculty; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006304:Health Status; D006379:Helping Behavior; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010465:Perception; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D012580:Schools, Pharmacy; D013339:Students, Pharmacy / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: academic competence; ego orientation; help-seeking behavior; student affairs; student pharmacists