Cui X, Li M, Li P, Li J, Hou X, Yan G, Li P, Su X, Qin D, Zhang Y, Gu Y, Yin H, Xu G. Help-Seeking Behaviors and Related Factors in Chinese Patients With Major Depressive Disorder: A Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study.
Front Psychiatry 2022;
13:934428. [PMID:
35873223 PMCID:
PMC9298966 DOI:
10.3389/fpsyt.2022.934428]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Although evidence-based and effective treatments are available for people with major depressive disorder (MDD), a substantial number do not seek or receive help. Therefore, this study aimed to (1) investigate the total help-seeking rate and first-time help-seeking choices; (2) explore the perceived helpfulness of 23 potential sources; and (3) evaluate the factors related to help-seeking behaviors among patients with MDD.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Data came from the Tianjin Mental Health Survey (TJMHS), which included a representative sample of adult community residents (n = 11,748) in the Chinese municipality of Tianjin. Of these, 439 individuals were diagnosed with lifetime MDD according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual-fourth edition (DSM-IV) and administered a help-seeking questionnaire.
RESULTS
In a survey, 28.2% of patients with MDD living community reported that they had ever sought any help during their entire lifetime before the interview, with 8.2% seeking help in mental healthcare settings, 8.0% only in other healthcare settings, and 12.0% only in non-healthcare sources (e.g., family, friends, and spiritual advisor). Among help-seekers, the first help mainly was sought in non-healthcare sources (61.3%), followed by healthcare settings (25.8%) and mental healthcare settings (12.9%). The majority of MDD individuals thought the non-healthcare sources were not helpful and mental healthcare settings were helpful or possibly helpful to solve mental problems. Female, having 10-12 or higher education years, comorbid anxiety disorders were associated with increased help-seeking.
CONCLUSION
A small percentage of individuals with MDD living in community of Tianjin sought help. They preferred non-healthcare sources to healthcare settings. Demographic and clinical features were associated with help-seeking behaviors.
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