title: Predictors of teachers' intention to refer students with ADHD to mental health professionals: comparison of U.S. and South Korea.
abstract: A teacher's intention to refer students to mental health professionals is important to the early identification of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and prevention of further problems. The theory of planned behavior (TPB) was used to determine the strongest belief-related predictors of a teacher's intentions to refer students with ADHD symptoms to a mental health professional in the U.S. and South Korea. Perceived stigma and knowledge of ADHD were additional predictors in examining the role of culture in a teacher's perceptions of the public's stigma toward ADHD and a teachers' knowledge of ADHD. Cross-cultural differences exist. U.S. teachers' (n = 235) intentions to refer were predicted by all TPB variables (i.e., attitudes about referral, beliefs about whether important others would approve of making a referral, and perceived behavioral control in making a referral). However, among South Korean teachers (n = 144), behavioral control and perceived stigma were the only predictors. The results imply the importance of considering the cultural context in understanding a teacher's referral behaviors.
authors.affiliation: Seton Hall University.
authors.forename: Ji-Yeon
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000175:diagnosis*; D001290:Attitude; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D005178:Faculty; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D033182:Intention; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D056910:Republic of Korea; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult