Self-diagnosis of mental disorders among students in Psychology

Abstract

This study explored psychology students’ experiences self-diagnosis currently enrolled at universities in Vietnam. Using a semi-structured in-depth interview approach and thematic analysis, the research was conducted with 14 participants. The findings indicate that psychology students' experiences of self-diagnosing mental disorders may stem from acquiring psychological knowledge during their studies, personal life experiences, or exposure to information from their surroundings. Two main factors shape students' self-diagnosis methods: internal factors (interpreting symptoms based on existing knowledge, reinforcing beliefs about disorders, and engaging in self-reflection or introspection) and external factors (using psychological assessment tools and materials or seeking information online). The findings contribute to theoretical understanding of the self-diagnosis phenomenon in the field of mental health and shed light on the causes and methods of self-diagnostic behavior among psychology students in Vietnam. These results provide a basis for future research directions in this area.