Social influences on mental health help-seeking after interpersonal traumatization: a qualitative analysis

Abstract

BackgroundDespite frequent and serious mental health problems after interpersonal traumatization, only a fraction of those affected by interpersonal violence seek formal help after the event. Reasons for this mismatch can be found in the individual help-seeking process but also in the individual's social environment. These social factors are explored based on a model describing the survivor's help-seeking process.MethodSurvivors of interpersonal traumatization and professionals providing help for this population were asked about factors influencing the ease of seeking and receiving professional help after interpersonal traumatization. A deductive and inductive content analysis of the experiences of 43 survivors of interpersonal traumatization and 16 professionals providing help for this population was carried out.ResultsThe analysis suggested a clear distinction of an individual and a social system level of influencing variables. At the system level three main factors were identified: factors of the help-system, dominant attitudes in society and public knowledge about traumatization and available help.ConclusionsThe results confirmed a complex interaction of variables on the individual and system level in the help-seeking process. The system level affects the individual's help-seeking through multiple pathways, especially through the individual's representation of the traumatization, through the reactions of the individual's social network and through barriers the individual perceives or experiences in the formal help-system.

Disclosing victimisation to healthcare professionals in Sweden: a constructivist grounded theory study of experiences among men exposed to interpersonal violence

“…Theories of help-seeking behaviour have been applied to interpersonal violence in general 14 15 and more specifically to female victims of intimate partner violence. 16 It has been emphasised that emotions (eg, shame due to being victimised), reactions and attitudes from relatives and friends, and wider social processes (eg, societal norms that lead to the acceptance of violence within an intimate partner relationship) influence the victims' help-seeking processes.…”

“… 16 It has been emphasised that emotions (eg, shame due to being victimised), reactions and attitudes from relatives and friends, and wider social processes (eg, societal norms that lead to the acceptance of violence within an intimate partner relationship) influence the victims' help-seeking processes. 14–16 These theories of help-seeking behaviours either focus only on women or do not discuss gender. 14–16 However, interpersonal violence and help-seeking are gendered processes.…”

“… 14–16 These theories of help-seeking behaviours either focus only on women or do not discuss gender. 14–16 However, interpersonal violence and help-seeking are gendered processes. 13 17 In general, men and women are exposed to different kinds of violence associated with different characteristics and perpetrators.…”

Toward an integrated approach in research on interpersonal violence : Conceptual and methodological challenges

“…Theories have been developed to better understand the help-seeking process of victims of interpersonal violence in general (Schreiber et al, 2009;Schreiber, Maercker and Renneberg, 2010) and more specifically female victims of intimate partner violence (Liang et al, 2005). Liang and colleagues suggest a process with three stages: a) problem recognition and definition, b) the decision to seek help, and c) selecting a source of support.…”

“…Though the three stages may seem to be characterized by cognitive decisions it is also underlined that feelings such as shame, fear and guilt will influence what happens, as will norms in society and attitudes from people in the victims' surrounding (Liang et al, 2005). It has been suggested that using an ecological model can be beneficial for understanding the help-seeking process and placing it in its sociocultural context (Schreiber et al, 2010;Alaggia, Regehr and Jenney, 2012).…”