An interpersonal-affective account of help-seeking behavior: A conceptual proposal

Help-seeking behavior (HSB) is an important social interaction, serving as a catalyst for collaboration, connection, and collective problem-solving. This behavior plays a critical role in various domains, including, but not limited to, education, mental health services, and healthcare. With these different approaches to HSB, there is no common account, which could limit dialogue across fields and hinder the development of a shared understanding. It also limits the generalizability of research findings to HSB in everyday contexts. The urgency of addressing this gap is underscored by recent evidence showing that people often underestimate others’ willingness to help, which critically undermines social cohesion and effective problem-solving. Thus, in this narrative review, we aimed to contribute to the development of a unified account of HSB. Grounded in an interpersonal examination of affective dynamics, we proposed a framework composed of contemplation, execution, and resolution. We drew on empirical and theoretical evidence to illustrate how this framework can comprehensively account for the unfolding and development of HSB. This framework was formulated to offer a flexible yet coherent structure for conceptualization and discussion across domains and for examining this behavior in day-to-day interactions.