Older adults’ mental health information preferences: a call for more balanced information to empower older adults’ mental health help-seeking

Abstract

A small minority of older adults seek psychological help when they need it. Barriers to mental health service use among older adults include low mental health literacy and reduced opportunities for shared decision-making in health care. There is a gap in the literature examining the mental health information preferences of older adults. The objectives of this study were to describe the information preferences and predictors of preferences among older adults. In total, 229 adults aged 50 years and older in central Canada responded to a questionnaire investigating socio-demographic, psycho-social and health-related characteristics, as well as mental health information preferences. Descriptive analysis quantified participants’ ratings of information preferences and hierarchical linear regression analysis determined predictors of their preferences. Older adults rated all mental health content items as very important. Most participants preferred detailed information (two to six pages) on all treatment options (psychological, pharmacological, combined and self-help). Older adults significantly preferred discussion with a heath-care provider and written information, in comparison to other formats. Older adults also significantly preferred to consult family, friends and heath-care professionals over other sources. Socio-demographic and psycho-social characteristics accounted for some of the variance in predicting older adults’ information preferences. Findings highlight older adults’ desire to be involved in decisions concerning mental health supports. Providing balanced information concerning mental health treatment may increase empowerment in mental health help-seeking.

Child ADHD and anxiety: Parent mental health literacy and information preferences

“…The items we included to capture parents' self‐rated familiarity with symptoms of child mental health problems and their treatment partially help to circumnavigate this limitation; however, future research is needed to evaluate parents' MHL skills using a more comprehensive approach to measuring this construct. Relatedly, findings regarding parents' information preferences for learning about child ADHD and anxiety were collected through a brief set of items used in past research (Reynolds et al, 2022; Stewart et al, 2014) from some of the authors in our group. Thus, additional research involving wider assessment of parents' preferred information sources (e.g., regarding information sources such as schools) and methods for information delivery (e.g., online courses and video series) for these and other child mental health problems would be beneficial.…”

“…They also indicated on a 5‐point scale the extent to which they would prefer (1 = not preferred , 5 = extremely preferred ) to receive this information in several formats (e.g., a website and discussion with a health care provider). These items have been used in prior research by authors in our group to evaluate information preferences (Reynolds et al, 2022; Stewart et al, 2014).…”

“…They also indicated on a 5-point scale the extent to which they would prefer (1 = not preferred, 5 = extremely preferred) to receive this information in several formats (e.g., a website and discussion with a health care provider). These items have been used in prior research by authors in our group to evaluate information preferences (Reynolds et al, 2022;Stewart et al, 2014). As a measure of parental self-efficacy, this research utilized Gilmore and Cuskelly's (2009) improved three-factor solution for the PSOC, including the following: Satisfaction; Efficacy; and Interest.…”

The Role of Human Resource Management in Employee Well-Being and Mental Health: A Systematic Literature Review

“…Clients have shown a preference for greater participation in mental health treatment decisions, highlighting the importance of involving individuals in decision-making processes (Adams et al, 2007). Older adults have also expressed a desire for involvement in mental health-related treatment decisions, emphasizing the need for balanced information to empower their help-seeking behaviors (Reynolds et al, 2022).…”