Abstract: With a procedural grounded theory approach,interview data from 14 parents of primary and secondary school students were analyzed to construct a stage model of parental psychological help-seeking for their children in China.The findings indicate that parents undergo five stages in the help-seeking process:problem recognition,adjustment and adaptation,preliminary help-seeking,professional help-seeking,and help-seeking maintenance.The process demonstrates nonlinear characteristics,with parents potentially experiencing stage-skipping or regression at different points.The results provide parents with a clear pathway for psychological help-seeking,contribute to the development of a collaborative support system among families,schools,and communities,and promote the recovery and development of the mental health of children and adolescents.

Key words: parents' psychological help-seeking for their children, stages of help-seeking, grounded theory, qualitative research