Illness perception, help-seeking attitudes, and knowledge related to obsessive–compulsive disorder across different ethnic groups: a community survey

Abstract

The results offer some plausible explanations for the large inequalities in access to services amongst ethnic minorities with OCD. Clinicians and policy-makers need to be aware of these socio-cultural factors when designing strategies to encourage help-seeking behaviors in these populations.

Perceived treatment barriers and experiences in the use of services for obsessive–compulsive disorder across different ethnic groups: a thematic analysis

“…In line with previous literature (Fernández de la Cruz et al., ; Shefer et al., ; Williams et al., ), our study suggests that ethnic minorities are likely to have different and sometimes negative attitudes toward mental health issues and their treatment. These attitudes can lead to stigma, shame, denial, and discrimination – all of which make it more difficult for parents from ethnic minority communities to access mental health treatment for their children.…”

“…In our ethnic minority sample, for example, there was an overrepresentation (50%) of participants from a Black African background. This group has shown some differences in regard to illness perceptions and barriers to treatment that should be taken into account (Fernández de la Cruz et al., ). Third, the interview questions posed to the participants were developed based on barriers to access previously identified in the literature.…”

“…Studies have identified these barriers in adult members of the community (Coles, Heimberg, & Weiss, ; Thompson, Bazile, & Akbar, ) and cohorts of patients with depression (Brown et al., ) and OCD (Williams, Domanico, Marques, Leblanc, & Turkheimer, ), mainly in the United States. In the United Kingdom, a community survey found that parents from minority ethnic groups were less likely to consider OCD symptoms described in a vignette as negatively affecting their child's life and were uncertain about the effectiveness and trustworthiness of possible treatments (Fernández de la Cruz et al., ). Additionally, parents from minority ethnic groups were also more likely to claim that they would not seek help for OCD symptoms and were more likely to report seeking help from within their religious communities, compared to the White group (Fernández de la Cruz et al., ).…”

“…In the United Kingdom, a community survey found that parents from minority ethnic groups were less likely to consider OCD symptoms described in a vignette as negatively affecting their child's life and were uncertain about the effectiveness and trustworthiness of possible treatments (Fernández de la Cruz et al., ). Additionally, parents from minority ethnic groups were also more likely to claim that they would not seek help for OCD symptoms and were more likely to report seeking help from within their religious communities, compared to the White group (Fernández de la Cruz et al., ). Further studies have identified a lack of trust in the mental health system and issues related to confidentiality as important barriers to help‐seeking for ethnic minority patients (Williams, Beckmann‐Mendez, & Turkheimer, ).…”

Perceived barriers to accessing mental health services among black and minority ethnic (BME) communities: a qualitative study in Southeast England

“…Some of the previous studies have identified differences among specific ethnic minority group(s) with regard to perception of illness and stigma. 33 Our study was focused on BME population in general and, unlike some recent studies, was not focused on any particular ethnic or service-user subgroup. The objective was to understand the barriers and community perspectives that could be applicable to the majority of different ethnic groups in the UK.…”