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Original Article Multi-group Causal Model of Mental Health Literacy and Helping Behavior Toward People at Risk of Depression Among Thai and Vietnamese Health Science Students
Anchalee Jansem1orcid , Ungsinun Intarakamhang2orcid , Charin Suwanwong2orcid , Krittipat Chuenphitthayavut2orcid , Sudarat Tuntivivat2orcid , Khuong Le3orcid , Le Thi Mai Lien3orcid , Pitchada Prasittichok2corresp_iconorcid

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3961/jpmph.24.449 [Accepted]
Published online: January 13, 2025
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1Faculty of Humanities, Srinakharinwirot University, Bangkok, Thailand
2Behavioral Science Research Institute, Srinakharinwirot University., Bangkok, Thailand
3Faculty of Psychology, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam
Corresponding author:  Pitchada Prasittichok,Fax: -, 
Email: pitchada@g.swu.ac.th
Received: 15 August 2024   • Revised: 25 October 2024   • Accepted: 13 December 2024

Objectives
Depression affects 23.3% of Thai and 15.2% of Vietnamese health science students, rates that exceed the global average of 4.4%. This study compared the causal models of mental health literacy and helping behavior toward individuals at risk of depression between these 2 groups.
Methods
This cross-sectional study was conducted from April to October 2023 and included 422 students from Thailand and Vietnam, who were studying medicine, nursing, psychology, and physical therapy. Stratified random sampling was used to select 211 students from each country. Data collection was performed using a Likert scale, which showed total-item correlations ranging from 0.24 to 0.83 and Cronbach’s alpha values between 0.74 and 0.86. The data were analyzed using a structural equation model.
Results
The causal models were consistent with the empirical data. The helping behavior of students toward peers at risk of depression was significantly influenced by their mental health literacy (effect size [ES]=0.91). This influence was also mediated indirectly by self-efficacy (ES=0.18), positive attitudes (ES=0.29), and social support (ES=0.77). Collectively, these factors accounted for 83% of the variance in helping behavior. Social support had a more pronounced effect on mental health literacy among Vietnamese students than among their Thai counterparts (ES=0.46 vs. 0.27, p<0.05). Conversely, positive attitudes had a stronger influence among Thai students than among Vietnamese students (ES=0.17 vs. 0.01, p<0.05).
Conclusions
The causal models of helping behavior among Thai and Vietnamese health science students exhibited no significant differences. However, improving mental health literacy is crucial, as it significantly impacts helping behavior.

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