Behavioral Psychology / Psicología Conductua (BP) is published by IMR Press from Volume 33 Issue 1 (2025). Previous articles were published by another publisher under the hybrid model (CC-BY-NC license or on a subscription basis), and they are hosted by IMR Press on imrpress.com as a courtesy and upon agreement.
Self-concealment, depressive symptoms, and seeking professional help: Evidence of an invariance model
, María José Segú Flores 1, Camila Salazar-Fernández 1, María José Baeza-Rivera 2, Mauro Olivera 11 University of La Frontera, Chile
2 Catholic University of Temuco, Chile
*Correspondence: Natalia Salinas Oñate, Avda. Francisco Salazar 1145, Casilla 54-D, Temuco (Chile). E-mail: natalia.salinas@ufrontera.cl
Abstract
This study examines the relationship structure between self-concealment, depressive symptoms, and professional help-seeking, and evaluates its invariance by gender in a sample of 500 Chilean university students. Multi-group structural equation models were used to examine invariance and the relationship structure between variables. The hypothesized model showed a good fit to the data, χ2(132)= 189.793, p< .050, CFI= .993, TLI= .991, RMSEA= .030 [.020, .039], SRMR= .052, and achieved strict (residual) invariance. For both groups, self-concealment is directly and significantly related to depressive symptoms. In female there is a significant inverse relationship between self-concealment and professional help-seeking, while in male self-concealment has an indirect relationship with professional help-seeking, mediated by depressive symptoms. These results underscore the hindering role of self-concealment and the importance of considering gender differences in understanding professional help-seeking for mental health.
Keywords
- self-concealment
- depressive symptoms
- mental health help-seeking