Finding Meaning, Finding Help
Growth often begins with a single decision: reaching out. Yet for many students, asking for help remains one of the most difficult steps to take. Ethan Trieu’s research explores how strengthening a sense of meaning and purpose may shift attitudes toward help-seeking, positioning self-efficacy as a key bridge between belief and action.
Trieu completed this work as a student in the Master of Arts program in Psychological Sciences at Rutgers University–Camden. His project was presented at the Graduate Poster Exhibition during the 2025 SPARK! (Showcase of Projects, Art, Research, and Knowledge), which highlights graduate research and creative work across disciplines. The abstract below introduces his study examining how meaning-centered interventions may influence students’ willingness to seek help.
Abstract: Exploring the Role of Self-Efficacy as a Mediator Between Meaning in Life and Help-Seeking Behavior
In the quest for personal growth and well-being, the decision to seek help can be transformative, yet many individuals hesitate to take this crucial step. Seeking help can be difficult for anyone, and understanding ways to overcome these obstacles can allow individuals to access the support they need.
Self-efficacy has been shown to influence help-seeking attitudes, as a strong sense of efficacy gives people the belief and motivation to act, which may include reaching out and asking for assistance. Recognizing this pathway to help-seeking, the proposed research aims to test the impact of a meaning-centered intervention based on college education and its relationship to students’ inclination to seek help through self-efficacy.
By investigating the relationship between a sense of meaning and attitudes toward help-seeking behaviors, this study seeks to identify strategies that encourage students to overcome barriers and embrace assistance, thereby promoting academic success and goal achievement.
Graduate Poster Exhibition at SPARK!
The Graduate Poster Exhibition celebrates the research and creative work of the graduate community, showcasing everything from prose and code to original research and artistic expression. As part of SPARK! (Showcase of Projects, Art, Research, and Knowledge), a reimagining of Research Week, the exhibition highlights the depth, range, and impact of graduate scholarship and invites the campus community to engage with ideas taking shape across disciplines.
Understanding the Mind: The Psychological Sciences Program
The Psychological Sciences program at Rutgers–Camden offers a comprehensive curriculum that prepares students for advanced research and practice in various psychological disciplines. The program provides a foundation in research design and data analysis, with opportunities for individually supervised research apprenticeships. Students can choose between a thesis track, ideal for those aiming for doctoral studies, and a content track, suited for careers in non-academic research settings. The curriculum emphasizes scientific research methods applicable to real-world problems, equipping graduates with critical thinking and analytical skills essential for diverse career paths in psychology.
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