Factors Influencing Acceptance and Use of Online Counseling Technology among Thai Psychologists and Mental Health Counsellors

Abstract

The rapid growth of online counseling (OC) services for mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic prompted concerns regarding its effectiveness compared to in-person counseling. Psychologists have expressed uncertainties about OC's efficacy and doubts about their competence in using it. As a result, psychologists have been hesitant to embrace OC methods and supporting technologies. Therefore, it has become crucial to study the factors that influence the acceptance and use of OC technology, enabling psychologists to develop the necessary skills and confidence to utilize inpatient treatment effectively. This study used quantitative research with survey research to study factors influencing 406 Thai counselors' use and acceptance of technology in online counseling, and the model was analyzed using structural equation modeling. Results showed that IOC are positively influenced by SI (β= .413, p<.001, t = 9.95) ATOC (β= .398, p<.001, t = 7.09), and PE (β= .114, p<.05, t = 2.01). While IOC is negatively influenced by FC (β= -.117, p<.05, t = -2.08). Furthermore, UOC was positively influenced by IOC (β= .511, p<.001, t = 9.64). On the contrary ATOC negatively affected UOC (β= -.215, p<.001, t = -3.77), indicating that it exerts a partial mediation effect on the relationship between PE, SI, FC, ATOC and UOC. The study represents a pioneering study on UTAUT use in determining technologies' influence on online mental health counseling in Southeast Asia. The findings could offer valuable perspectives on how to increase the uptake of online counseling among psychologists by elevating the perceived advantages of the service, assisting in the creation of more efficient, organizations or authorities that foster positive attitudes toward the use of online counseling among psychologists, and fostering increased acceptance and usage of online counseling going forward.