Theoretical Perspectives Used in Research on Professional Psychological Help-Seeking Behavior Among Adults

A theoretical perspective is necessary for developing a research model to explore the phenomenon of seeking professional psychological help. Previous studies on seeking professional psychological help still show inconsistent results from a theoretical perspective. This scoping review aims to conduct a scoping literature review of the theoretical perspectives employed in studies of adults seeking professional psychological help. The research method employs the population, concept, and context (PCC) framework from five databases: Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, ScienceDirect, and ProQuest (academic journals, dissertations, and theses). The databases were accessed in March 2025, yielding 10 articles that met the inclusion criteria (empirical research articles published in English; context: focus on mental health; concept: theoretical perspective/theoretical framework/conceptual theory of seeking help from professionals/formal settings; population: age >18 years; research methods: quantitative and qualitative). The research findings indicate that seven theoretical perspectives are frequently employed in studies of professional psychological help-seeking behavior: Andersen’s Behavioral Model of Health Services Use, the Theory of Planned Behavior, Bronfenbrenner’s Bioecological Theory, the Commission on Social Determinants of Health, Social Identity Theory, the Person-Centered Approach, and the Health Belief Model. The results of this study provide a foundation for future investigations into the behavior of adults in seeking professional psychological assistance.