The Duality of Inequality of Opportunity: The Lived Experience and Influence of Inequality of Opportunity on the Help-Seeking Attitudes and Behaviors of Low SES Youth

Abstract

The phenomenon of inequality of opportunity among youth is becoming increasingly prevalent. Currently, many youth support services are in place to combat its negative effects, but they are unresponsive to the needs of targeted youth. Using semi-structured interviews, this study explores the forms of inequality of opportunity experienced by low SES youth and how this impacts their help-seeking strategies. This study integrates psychological capital into a framework of Bourdieu's Capital (1986), Ungar's Resilience Theory (2008), and Gidden's Structuration Theory (1984) to explore the social psychological factors that shape their help-seeking intentions. The study revealed a nuanced and complex interplay between individual agency and structural constraints in shaping help-seeking behavior among low-SES youth. Different perceptions of effective environmental supports shaped different help-seeking behaviors. Psychological capital (self-efficacy, resilience, and optimism), peer relationships, and stigma were key in influencing this process. Therefore, a balanced approach to research and intervention is needed that considers both structural factors and individual strengths. This prevents stigma and addresses the diverse needs within low SES groups.