Journal of Educational Sciences
Vol. 10 No. 8 (2026): Journal of Educational Sciences

Self-Diagnosis in Relation to Help-Seeking Behavior and Health Literacy among Adolescents in Indonesia

Ayub Firmansyah (Psychology Study Program, Faculty of Psychology, Universitas Muria Kudus, Kudus, 59327, Indonesia)
Rr. Dwi Astuti (Psychology Study Program, Faculty of Psychology, Universitas Muria Kudus, Kudus, 59327, Indonesia)



Article Info

Publish Date
05 Aug 2026

Abstract

Mental health self-diagnosis among adolescents has increased alongside the widespread use of digital health information. This study examined the relationships between help-seeking behavior, health literacy, and self-diagnosis among adolescents in Indonesia. A quantitative cross-sectional correlational design was employed. Using purposive sampling, 157 respondents aged 15-24 years who had accessed mental health information through digital media completed online Likert-type scales. Because the data were non-normally distributed and contained relevant extreme outliers, the hypotheses were tested using Spearman's rho correlation. The results showed a strong positive relationship between help-seeking behavior and self-diagnosis (r_s = .748, p < .001) and a moderate positive relationship between health literacy and self-diagnosis (r_s = .462, p < .001). The direction of these relationships differed from the initial hypotheses. These findings suggest that self-diagnosis may function as an initial interpretive step in adolescents' efforts to understand their condition and seek information or assistance. Nevertheless, self-assessment should not replace professional evaluation. These findings can support the development of adolescent digital mental health literacy programs that encourage critical evaluation of online information and responsible help-seeking.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

JES

Publisher

Subject

Religion Humanities Education Library & Information Science Other

Description

JES publishes original articles on the latest issues and trends occurring regionally and internationally in the educational sciences with the aim to advance our knowledge both in term of theory and practice. Moreover, this journal also covers the issues concerned with the following special sections: ...