Abstract

This article examines factors shaping university students’ needs for psychological counseling in the context of digital transformation. These needs are influenced by students’ perceptions of counseling, barriers to service access, stress-coping strategies, and available social support. Accurate understanding of counseling’s functions and professionalism encourages help-seeking, whereas cultural stigma, confidentiality concerns, limited communication, convenience constraints, and financial conditions may hinder access. Moreover, maladaptive coping and prolonged stress are associated with greater demand for professional support. Support from family, peers, educational institutions, and the media can provide initial assistance and guide students toward counseling when informal support is insufficient. Accordingly, the article recommends strengthening communication about counseling, standardizing service provision, and developing support channels suited to the digital environment.

Keywords: Digital transformation, higher education, need for psychological counseling, psychological counseling, university students