Psychological Components in the Acceptance of Psychological Counseling During Economic Crises

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study is to identify and analyze the psychological components influencing the acceptance of psychological counseling during economic crises.

Methods and Materials: This qualitative study used semi-structured interviews. The sample consisted of 23 residents of Tehran who had experienced psychological issues during recent economic crises. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using NVivo software and thematic analysis. Theoretical saturation was used as the main criterion for stopping data collection.

Findings: The results showed that various psychological components influenced the acceptance of psychological counseling. These components included financial anxiety, self-esteem, social support, attitudes toward economic crises, and coping styles. Financial anxiety was identified as one of the major barriers to seeking counseling. Additionally, low self-esteem and lack of social support were found to be other barriers to accessing counseling services.

Conclusion: This study reveals that in times of economic crises, psychological factors such as financial anxiety and self-esteem significantly impact the acceptance of psychological counseling. Therefore, addressing these components can be essential in designing more effective psychological interventions in crisis situations.