1. Factors associated with unwillingness to seek professional help for depression: a web-based survey
- Author
-
Shin Ishiguro, Toshiatsu Taniguchi, Nanako Nakamura-Taira, Eisho Yoshikawa, and Hiromichi Matsumura
- Subjects
Adult ,Male ,medicine.medical_specialty ,education ,Psychological intervention ,lcsh:Medicine ,General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology ,03 medical and health sciences ,Interpersonal relationship ,Diagnostic Self Evaluation ,0302 clinical medicine ,Japan ,Willingness to seek professional help ,Surveys and Questionnaires ,medicine ,Initial treatment ,Humans ,Psychiatry ,lcsh:Science (General) ,lcsh:QH301-705.5 ,Web based survey ,Depression (differential diagnoses) ,Web study ,Internet ,business.industry ,Depressive disorder ,Depression ,lcsh:R ,General Medicine ,Middle Aged ,Patient Acceptance of Health Care ,Mental health ,030227 psychiatry ,Research Note ,Cross-Sectional Studies ,Mental Health ,lcsh:Biology (General) ,Psychological Distance ,Barriers to mental health care ,The Internet ,Female ,Internet users ,business ,Psychology ,030217 neurology & neurosurgery ,lcsh:Q1-390 - Abstract
Objective Depression is a prevalent disorder that has a substantial impact on not only individuals but also society as a whole. Despite many effective depression interventions, delay in initial treatment contact is problematic. The Internet is a possible tool for low-cost dissemination of appropriate information and awareness raising about depressive disorders among the general public. This study aimed to identify factors associated with unwillingness to seek professional help for depression in Internet users. Results This web-based cross-sectional study surveyed 595 participants who scored over the cutoff point for depression on a self-rated mental-health questionnaire for depression, had never been assessed or treated by a mental health professional, and were experiencing depressive symptoms for at least 6 months. Among the 595 participants, 329 (55.3%) reported they were unwilling to seek professional help for depression. Regression analysis indicated that unwillingness to seek professional help for depression was associated with male sex and financial issues as a depression trigger, and that willingness to seek professional help was associated with problems with interpersonal relationships. The Internet warrants further complementary investigation to elucidate factors associated with unwillingness to seek professional help for depression.
- Published
- 2017