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Abstract
Objective: A wide range of factors can influence help-seeking attitudes when individuals experience a mental disorder. The current study investigated the relationship between traditional Chinese beliefs related to the aetiology of mental disorders and help-seeking attitudes among elderly participants in Macao.
Methods: In order to ensure the suitability of participants for inclusion in this study, the participants were required to complete an initial screening test using the Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire (SPMSQ). Participants who successfully passed the test (n = 183) completed a questionnaire that included the Inventory of Attitudes Toward Seeking Mental Health Services (IASMHS), a set of 9 items related to traditional Chinese beliefs about aetiology of mental disorders and demographic items.
Results: The IASMHS scores were higher for female participants and for participants who had completed high school compared with those who had never attended school or who had only completed primary education. Endorsement of traditional Chinese beliefs about the aetiology of mental disorders was higher for male participants. There was a negative correlation between traditional Chinese aetiology beliefs related to mental disorders and help-seeking attitudes.
Conclusion: Traditional Chinese beliefs related to the aetiology of mental disorders are a negative factor that inhibits help seeking. Implications for efforts to increase the utilisation of mental health services by the elderly are discussed.
Key words: Aged; Asian continental ancestry group; Help-seeking behavior; Mental disorders / etiology
Introduction
At the end of 2014, those aged ≥ 65 years accounted for 8.4% of the Macao population and this is projected to reach 19% by the end of 2031.1 In Hong Kong, the 2011 Population Census reported that 13.3% of the population were aged ≥ 65 years, projected to reach 26.5% by the end of 2031.2,3 As the elderly population increases, so will their health care needs, including mental health. In addition to dementia, the elderly can also experience a range of other mental health issues, including depression, anxiety disorders, and psychosis.4-6
In order to effectively treat mental disorders in the elderly, it is important that help is sought from professional mental health services.7,8 Despite the effectiveness of treatment, underutilisation of mental health services is common and professional services may only be considered after other sources of informal support have failed.9,10 For example,...