Journal article
A Chinese help-seeking model for psychological distress in primary care: An adaptation of Andersen's Behavioral Model of Health Services Use
Transcultural psychiatry, Vol.61(2), pp.182-193
01/04/2024
PMID: 38233734
Appears in Recent Faculty of Health Publications
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Abstract
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.
Details
- Title
- A Chinese help-seeking model for psychological distress in primary care: An adaptation of Andersen's Behavioral Model of Health Services Use
- Creators
- Kai Sing Sun - Chinese University of Hong KongTai Pong Lam - University of Hong KongDan Wu - London School of Hygiene & Tropical MedicineTak Hon Chan - University of Hong KongGraeme Browne - Southern Cross UniversitySally Wai Chi Chan - Tung Wah College
- Publication Details
- Transcultural psychiatry, Vol.61(2), pp.182-193
- Number of pages
- 12
- Identifiers
- 991013372616902368
- Academic Unit
- Faculty of Health
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article