Help-Seeking Behaviors and Related Factors in Chinese Patients With Major Depressive Disorder: A Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study

Overview

Journal Front Psychiatry

Specialty Psychiatry

Date 2022 Jul 25

PMID 35873223

Authors

Xiaojuan Cui

Minghui Li

Peijun Li

Jinhao Li

Xiaofei Hou

Guoli Yan

Peiyao Li

Xuyang Su

Danni Qin

Yijiao Zhang

Yan Gu

Huifang Yin

Guangming Xu

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

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 ( = 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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