A Chinese help-seeking model for psychological distress in primary care

An adaptation of Andersen's Behavioral Model of Health Services Use

Datos Bibliográficos

ID2395585
AutoresKai Sing Sun (0000-0003-0631-9699, Chinese University of Hong Kong, autor de correspondencia), Tai Pong Lam (0000-0003-1740-2172, University of Hong Kong), Dan Wu (0000-0003-0849-0297, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine), Tak Hon Chan (0000-0001-9348-0717, University of Hong Kong), Graeme Browne (0000-0002-2549-0814, Southern Cross University), Sally Wai Chi Chan (Tung Wah College, Hong Kong), Sally Wai‐chi Chan (0000-0001-5484-4645, Tung Wah College)
Año2024
Volumen61
Número2
Páginas182-193
Fecha de publicación2024-04-01
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaTranscultural Psychiatric Research Review (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 0041-1108 • E-ISSN: 0315-4386
EditorialSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/13634615231225130
PMID38233734
OpenAlexW4390982467
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas2
Referencias citadas58

Help-seeking for depression and anxiety disorders from primary care physicians in Western countries is at three times the rate of China. Western help-seeking models for common mental disorders have limitations in the Chinese settings. This article argues that an adapted model based on Andersen's Behavioral Model of Health Services Use could be an appropriate tool to better understand patients' help-seeking behaviors and improve outcomes. We applied a narrative review approach to integrate research findings from China into Andersen's model to generate a model that fits the Chinese context. We found 39 relevant articles in PubMed, MEDLINE, and Chinese journal databases from 1999 to 2022. Findings were mapped onto predisposing, enabling, and need factors of the model. This model emphasizes that predisposing factors including demographics, social norms, and health beliefs influence help-seeking preferences. Mental health service users in China tend to be older and female. Chinese generally have high concern about psychotropic medications, and social norms that consider psychological distress a personal weakness may discourage help-seeking. However, help-seeking can be enhanced by enabling factors in the health system, including training of primary care physicians, longer consultation time, and continuity of care. Need factors for treatment increase with the severity of distress symptoms, and doctor's skills and attitudes in recognizing psychosomatic symptoms. While predisposing factors are relatively hard to change, enabling factors in the health system and need factors for treatment can be targeted by enhancing the role of family doctors and training in mental health

Anxiety · China · Context (archaeology · Distress · Health care · Help-seeking · MEDLINE · Mental health · Psychiatry · Clinical Psychology · Health disparities and outcomes · Healthcare Systems and Reforms · Medicine · Mental Health Treatment and Access · Psychology