Help-seeking behaviors for serious psychological distress among individuals with diabetes mellitus: The California Health Interview Survey, 2011–2012

Abstract

Aim To investigate patterns of and factors associated with help-seeking behaviors among individuals with diabetes mellitus (DM) and/or serious psychological distress (SPD). Methods The analysis was conducted with the California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) 2011–2012 of 40,803 adults. Logistic regression was used to examine the associations between the multiple facilitating/preventing factors and outcome, guided by the Andersen’s Health Care Utilization Model. Results The prevalence of DM and SPD were 10.9% and 3.4%, respectively, among participants in the survey. The participants with DM were more likely to experience SPD than those without DM (OR 1.46, 95% CI=1.11–1.91, p=0.006). Participants with combined DM and SPD, the most underserved, were less likely to perceive the need for mental health services and less likely to seek help, compared to those with only SPD. Need factors (SPD status and perceived need) were significantly associated with help-seeking behaviors for mental health, along with predisposing factors (age, gender, obesity, race, and employment), and enabling factors (insurance, English proficiency). Conclusions Perceptions about need for seeking help seem to play an important role in receiving mental health services in addition to other predisposing or enabling factors. Identification of these factors may improve clinical outcomes related to DM and SPD.

Mental Disorders in Subjects with Diabetes: A Systematic Review

“…In these present exploratory results of mental disorders in subjects with diabetes about anxiety symptoms and anxiety disorders [14][15][16]18,[23][24][25][26]32], we found some relevant points. There was a high prevalence in social phobia, panic disorders or agoraphobia, psychological distress, OCD and GAD in type 1 patients with diabetes compared with type 2 [14][15][16]21,31,32].…”

“…There was a high prevalence in social phobia, panic disorders or agoraphobia, psychological distress, OCD and GAD in type 1 patients with diabetes compared with type 2 [14][15][16]21,31,32]. Type 1 population with diabetes appears since childhood and it possible that increase in glucose and indicated as predictive of high anxiety [18,[23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30]. Also, they must have frequent self-monitoring and reasonable application of injectable insulin by the glucose level may contribute to this higher prevalence of anxiety present in type 1 patients [30,31].…”

“…Although, patients with diabetes are more likely to take medication for mental health (57.9% vs. 53.8%) the findings showed that were less likely to perceive that they need to see a therapist or psychiatrist compared to those with serious psychological distress only (54.7% vs. 67.8%, p=0.02) [24]. Chien and Lin [25] found in a sample of 1000000 individuals with diabetes that anxiety disorder was higher than that in the general population (11.89% vs. 5.92%, odds ratio, 1.23; 95% confidence interval, 1.17-1.28).…”

“…Shin et al [24] screened that 51.6% patients with diabetes had mental/emotional disorder or alcohol/drug abuse, 37.4% participants with diabetes and serious psychological distress sought help from general practitioner/primary care physician, while 31.1% did from mental health providers. Although, patients with diabetes are more likely to take medication for mental health (57.9% vs. 53.8%) the findings showed that were less likely to perceive that they need to see a therapist or psychiatrist compared to those with serious psychological distress only (54.7% vs. 67.8%, p=0.02) [24].…”

Web-Based Benefit-Finding Writing for Adults with Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes: Preliminary Randomized Controlled Trial

“…However, many people with diabetes are reluctant to seek mental health care [31]. This may be due to the stigma of mental ill health and the belief that distress associated with diabetes is normal and should not be pathologized [32].…”