Campus Location
Abilene Campus (Residential)
Date of Award
Spring 5-2018
Document Type
Thesis
Department
Psychology
Degree Name
Master of Science
Committee Chair or Primary Advisor
Scott Perkins
Second Committee Member or Secondary Advisor
Cherisse Flanagan
Third Committee Member or Committee Reader
Richard Beck
Abstract
The millennial generation (those born after 1985) appears to be seeking mental health services (MHS) less frequently than older generations. Additionally, this generation is reportedly more narcissistic and entitled than older generations and have maladaptive helicopter parents. One explanation for millennials’ underutilization of MHS would be to attribute this to their narcissism, entitlement, and helicopter parents. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether differences exist between millennials and non-millennials regarding their levels of narcissism, entitlement, experiences of helicopter parenting, and attitudes towards therapy. Additionally, the study predicted that increased levels of narcissism, entitlement, and helicopter parenting would be associated with poorer attitudes towards MHS. Results failed to support the presence of any significant generational differences. However, narcissism, entitlement, and helicopter parenting were associated with poorer attitudes towards therapy. This suggests that these traits, in part, may act as a treatment barrier for seeking MHS. Further research is called for to more clearly understand the millennial generation and effectively provide them with MHS.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Recommended Citation
Jackson, Kaylee, "Factors Influencing Millennials’ Perception of and Attitudes Toward Therapy" (2018). Digital Commons @ ACU, Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 105.
https://digitalcommons.acu.edu/etd/105