Date of Submission

2024

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Psychology

Department Chair

Jessica Kendorski, PhD, NCSP, BCBA-D

First Advisor

Virginia Salzer, PhD

Second Advisor

Sofia Pham, PhD

Third Advisor

Joan Manhardt, PhD

Abstract

The mental health needs of children are growing in the United States. Caregiver’s mental health knowledge and attitudes about help-seeking can impede the awareness of help-seeking behaviors. The Baylis Model is a framework for caregivers to increase their mental health knowledge. This research is a pilot study to provide elementary caregivers with mental health knowledge to increase their awareness to access treatments for their children. Participants completed a pre-test to determine mental health knowledge to begin the study. A total of 14 families completed a 10-module course (Mental Wellness At The Lake) on canvas, a web-based learning management system. Throughout the course, caregivers completed knowledge checks to determine comprehension. The pre-test and knowledge checks were used to decide if the canvas course increased mental health knowledge. The results indicated a significant increase in mental health knowledge after completing the course. It is recommended that caregivers have access to a program to expand their mental health knowledge to increase their help-seeking behaviors for their children. Future research should study how increasing mental health knowledge in elementary caregivers enhances their help-seeking behaviors.

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