The use of healthcare services for mental health problems by middle-aged and older adults

Gonçalves, Daniela Caetano; Coelho, Carlos M.; Byrne, Gerard

doi:10.1016/j.archger.2014.04.013

Cited by 21 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 32 publications

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“…Most participants, including those who had reported some understanding of psychology, identified the GP as the primary point of contact for seeking help for mental and emotional concerns and accessing psychotherapeutic treatment, which is consistent with previous research (Gonçalves et al, ; Mackenzie, Gekoski, & Knox, ). Despite this, few actually sought help this way, suggesting there were factors hindering participants from seeking and receiving help in the primary care setting.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 87%

“…Gonçalves, Coelho, and Byrne () reported that the older Australians in their study, preferred to seek help from their GP for mental health issues and will visit them more frequently than younger people, yet depression is detected less often in older adults. Furthermore, there is a tendency among GPs to focus on physical rather than mental health (Watts et al, ) particularly during time‐limited consultations (Burroughs et al, ).…”

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confidence: 91%

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Older Adults’ Perceptions of Psychotherapy: What Is It and Who Is Responsible?

Hannaford

Shaw

Walker

2019

Australian Psychologist

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Objective: This study aimed to explore older peoples' attitudes towards, and understanding of, psychotherapy and their willingness to seek out psychological services for themselves. Method: A total of 14 older adults, 10 women and 4 men, aged from 65 to 89 years, participated in semi-structured interviews which were guided by a set of open-ended questions. Results: Thematic analysis identified three themes: the GP as the primary but problematic access point; unfamiliar terminology/familiar concept; and changing attitudes/lingering stigma. The General Practitioner was identified as the primary contact for accessing mental health services. Most participants were reluctant to disclose emotional concerns to their doctor and GPs were seen as responsible for initiating discussions about mental health. Lack of enquiry by GPs, short consultation times and unfamiliarity with psychological terminology were considered barriers for accessing treatment. Participants mostly held positive and accepting views of psychotherapy but a lingering stigma, based on historical values of stoicism and self-reliance, was evident. Reductions in societal stigma were attributed to increased exposure to mental health information via the media, however, participants appeared to confuse psychological services with counselling as this was a term that most were familiar with. Conclusions: Health professionals need to be mindful of the terminology they use when communicating with older adults about mental health to avoid confusion. Media initiatives do lead to improved mental health literacy and a reduction of the stigma around mental illness but they also need to distinguish between available services, for example, counselling and psychological services.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 87%

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confidence: 91%

Older Adults’ Perceptions of Psychotherapy: What Is It and Who Is Responsible?

Hannaford

Shaw

Walker

2019

Australian Psychologist

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“…Results from the National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing in Australia outline that the most common barriers to receiving “counselling” in adults was firstly a preference to manage their own symptoms, followed by pessimism about the usefulness of the help (Prins et al, ). In addition, it has been shown that there is an inverse relationship between age and seeking help for mental health problems in the Australian population, with those who are oldest (i.e., 75–85), accessing care less often than those aged between 55 and 64 (Gonçalves, Coelho, & Byrne, ). However, there is currently no Australian data that outlines the barriers to treatment specifically for people with an anxiety disorder.…”

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confidence: 99%

The Utility of the Health Belief Model Variables in Predicting Help‐Seeking Intention for Anxiety Disorders

Langley

Wootton

Grieve

2018

Australian Psychologist

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Objective Anxiety disorders are common, and effective treatments exist, however, many people with anxiety disorders do not access these treatments due to numerous barriers. The current study aimed to examine treatment barriers that are specific to anxiety disorders and to examine the utility of the Health Belief Model (HBM) variables in predicting intention to seek psychological help in relation to anxiety disorders. Method The study employed a cross‐sectional design and participants were a convenience sample comprising first year psychology students and other individuals who were interested in participating. A total of 278 individuals voluntarily participated in the current study by completing a battery of online self‐report measures. Of these participants, there was an 89% completion rate and 243 met inclusion criteria (81% female; Mean age 25.58, SD = 10.69). Results The most commonly reported barriers in this population included “I would not be able to afford treatment” (52%), followed by “I think I can/should work out my own problems rather than talking to a psychologist” (49%). Regression analyses indicated that 51% of the variance in intention to seek psychological help can be accounted for by the HBM variables. Perceived treatment benefits were the strongest predictor of help‐seeking intention. Conclusions The study highlights that individuals must interpret psychological treatment as potentially helpful in order to seek help for anxiety disorders. In order to improve help‐seeking for anxiety disorders it is essential that professional bodies use targeted marketing strategies to increase the perceived helpfulness of seeing a mental health professional.

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“…Despite the significant presence of mental health problems in the elderly, the evidence reveals a dual reality. On the one hand, there is a lack of specialized mental health services and interventions designed for the elderly [ 32 , 33 ], and on the other hand, elderly adults in some countries have difficulty accessing specialized services [ 34 , 35 , 36 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Alcohol use, abuse and dependence in an older European population: Results from the MentDis_ICF65+ study

et al. 2018

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BackgroundAlcohol use disorders (AUD) in older people have been the subject of increasing interest in Europe and worldwide. However, thus far, no reliable data exist regarding the prevalence of AUD in people over the age of 65 years in Europe.ObjectiveTo assess the current (past month), 12-month and lifetime prevalence of alcohol use, abuse and dependence in people aged 65–84 years.Study designThe MentDis_ICF65+ study was a representative stepwise cross-sectional survey that was conducted in six European and associated cities (Hamburg, Germany; Ferrara, Italy; London/Canterbury, England; Madrid, Spain; Geneva, Switzerland and Jerusalem, Israel).MethodIn total, 3,142 community-dwelling people aged between 65 and 84 years who lived in participating cities were assessed with an age-sensitive diagnostic interview (CIDI65+).ResultsThe prevalence of lifetime alcohol use was 81% for the overall sample. The observed AUD (DSM-IV-TR) prevalence was as follows: current, 1.1%; 12-month, 5.3% and lifetime, 8.8%. Alcohol consumption and AUD were more prevalent in males, and a significant interaction between gender and city was observed; greater gender differences in the prevalence of these disorders were observed in Hamburg, London/Canterbury and Geneva in comparison to the other cities. The prevalence of lifetime alcohol consumption and 12-month AUD tended to be lower in older persons.ConclusionThe results highlight the appropriateness of using age-adjusted diagnostic tools (CIDI65+) to identify alcohol use and AUD in older people. Different alcohol use patterns were observed in males and females. The results seem to indicate the presence of different alcohol use patterns between northern and southern European countries. Specialized services are proposed, including brief and/or more intensive interventions framed intensive and more simple interventions framed in stepped care strategies, to improve the social and health resources available for older people across Europe.

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The use of healthcare services for mental health problems by middle-aged and older adults

Cited by 21 publications

References 32 publications

Older Adults’ Perceptions of Psychotherapy: What Is It and Who Is Responsible?

Older Adults’ Perceptions of Psychotherapy: What Is It and Who Is Responsible?

The Utility of the Health Belief Model Variables in Predicting Help‐Seeking Intention for Anxiety Disorders

Alcohol use, abuse and dependence in an older European population: Results from the MentDis_ICF65+ study

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