Different patterns of perceived barriers to psychological treatment among Chinese depressed college students: Preliminary findings

Abstract Objectives This study aimed to (a) identify the different patterns of perceived barriers to psychological treatment in Chinese college students with depression and (b) determine whether self‐compassion and depression severity distinguished individuals with different patterns. Methods This study included 338 college students with depression. The perceived barriers to psychological treatment scale were used. Latent profile analysis (LPA) was performed to identify the differential patterns. Results Results of LPA indicated four patterns of perceived barriers, which differed with respect to levels and patterns, namely, “low barriers” (31%, n = 105), “moderate barriers” (45%, n = 153), “attitudinal and availability barriers” (18%, n = 61), and “high barriers” (6%, n = 19). Self‐compassion (particularly, negative self‐compassion) and depression severity distinguished participants with the four patterns. Conclusions A small number of participants reporting high levels across different types of barriers deserve special attention because they would be less likely to seek professional help.