Conceptualization and validation of the Adolescent Barriers to Accessing Psychotherapy Questionnaire

Objective: This study expands previous research on barriers to accessing psychotherapy byconceptualizing and validating a questionnaire for adolescentsMethod: Adolescents with mental disorders and psychotherapy experience participated in Study 1 (N = 268, Mage = 17.0 years, SD = 2.43, range: 14–21 years; 76% identified as female, 24% as male) and Study 2 (N = 54). In Study 3, 108 adolescents with and without psychotherapy experience participated. Results: Exploratory factor analysis yielded a four-factor structure as the best model fit with Fear of Public Stigma, Fear of Psychotherapy Setting, Problem Denial, and Help-Seeking Stigma. Internal consistency (α = .81–.88) and split-half reliability were good (rtt = .95). Convergent validity was confirmed. Divergent validity was assured. Test–Retest reliability was good (ICC= .63–.85). Adolescents under the cut-off for of a mental disorder reported lower barriers compared to adolescents over the cut-off for mental disorders. No differences in barriers were found between participants with and without treatment experience. Conclusions: The measure can provide useful information for conceptualizing and evaluating interventions aimed at lowering barriers to accessing psychotherapy. There is evidence of an underestimation of barriers when they are assessed in nonclinical samples.