Help-Seeking Intention in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Predictors and Barriers in South Africa
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 15524281 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Sarah Kate Hathorn (Stellenbosch University), Christine Lochner (0000-0002-4766-3704, South African Medical Research Council, corresponding author), Dan J Stein (0000-0001-7218-7810, University of Cape Town), Jason Bantjes (0000-0002-3626-9883, Stellenbosch University) |
| Year | 2021 |
| Volume | 12 |
| Publication date | 2021-09-24 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Frontiers in Psychiatry (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1664-0640 • E-ISSN: 1664-0640 |
| Publisher | Frontiers Media (PUBLISHER • CH) |
| DOI | 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.733773 |
| OpenAlex | W3203966084 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 1 |
| References cited | 50 |
Introduction: Many individuals with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) delay seeking help, leading to greater illness severity, additional comorbidity, and increased functional impairment. Patterns of help-seeking for OCD have however not yet been described in South Africa, a low-and middle-income country with many health service challenges. Using the health belief model as a conceptual framework, study aims were to identify predictors of and barriers to help-seeking among South Africans with OCD. Methods: Fifty adults with OCD completed an online survey to assess (1) socio-demographic characteristics, (2) OCD symptom severity, (3) treatment barriers, (4) perceived treatment benefits, (5) self-efficacy, and (6) help-seeking intention. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to establish predictors of help-seeking intention. Descriptive statistics were used to determine the most endorsed help-seeking barriers. Results: 42.6% of the variance in help-seeking intention was explained by the investigated constructs ( R 2 = 0.426, F = 4.45 and p < 0.01). Perceived treatment benefits were the only significant predictor of help-seeking intention ( B = 1.37, t = 5.16, and p < 0.01). More than a third (36%) of the sample endorsed wanting to handle the problem independently as a significant barrier, followed by treatment concerns (26%), affordability (22%), and shame (20%). Conclusion: An innovative analysis of help-seeking patterns suggested that perceived treatment benefits were the only significant predictor of help-seeking intention among South African adults with OCD. Psychoeducation and mental health literacy programmes may be useful in increasing public appreciation of the benefits of OCD treatment, and in mitigating key help-seeking barriers
Comorbidity · Help-seeking · Mental health · Obsessive compulsive · Psychiatric comorbidity · Psychiatry · Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development · Clinical Psychology · Eating Disorders and Behaviors · Medicine · Obsessive-Compulsive Spectrum Disorders · Psychology
The epidemiology of obsessive-compulsive disorder in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication
Conceptual measurement framework for help-seeking for mental health problems
Barriers of mental health treatment utilization among first‐year college students
Advantages and limitations of Internet-based interventions for common mental disorders
Treatment gap for anxiety disorders is global
Historical Origins of the Health Belief Model
Comparison of Convenience Sampling and Purposive Sampling
Closing the mental health treatment gap in South Africa
Self-efficacy
The Utility of the Health Belief Model Variables in Predicting Help‐Seeking Intention for Anxiety Disorders
Mental health system costs, resources and constraints in South Africa
Public Recognition and Perceptions of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
| Unique citing works | 1 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 1 |
| Citation span | 2025 - 2025 (1) |
| Citation velocity | recent |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 1 |