Graduate Program

Clinical Psychology

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Semester of Degree Completion

2007

Thesis Director

Anu Sharma

Thesis Committee Member

Ronan Bernas

Thesis Committee Member

Caridad Brito

Abstract

The present study examined cross-cultural differences in individualistic and collectivistic values and behaviors, the cultural value dimensions of conservatism, openness to change, self-enhancement, self-transcendence, and attitudes toward seeking professional psychological help among American and Indian college students. Data were collected from 111 students at Eastern Illinois University in the U.S. and from 78 students of Mumbai University in India. Participants completed a demographic questionnaire, the Individualism-Collectivism Interpersonal Assessment Inventory, the Schwartz Value Survey and the Attitudes Toward Seeking Professional Psychological Help Scale. Statistical analyses were computed using I tests for independent means, 2 Way ANOVAs, multiple regression analyses and descriptive statistics. Results indicated that American college students had more collectivistic values than Indian college students, particularly in reference to friends. Further, college students who were more collectivistic in their values and behaviors endorsed more conservative values as compared to college students who were individualistic. However, there were no other differences regarding the other value dimensions between American and Indian college students, regardless of whether they were individualistic or collectivistic. Additionally, there were no differences in help-seeking attitudes among American and Indian college students and among those who were individualists and those who were collectivists. Further, although none of the four value dimensions predicted positive help-seeking attitudes among American college students, the values of conservatism, openness to change and self-enhancement predicted negative help-seeking attitudes for Indian college students. Lastly, the demographic variables of age, gender and prior counseling experience were analyzed. Females were found to have a more positive help-seeking attitude as compared to males. Although an equal percentage of Indian and American college students indicated a history of counseling, it was only the American college students whose help-seeking attitudes were influenced by their prior counseling experience. Implications of these findings are reviewed along with recommendations for future research in this important area of cross-cultural research.

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