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Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology
Published in: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology 3/2009

01-03-2009 | ORIGINAL PAPER

Beliefs about mental health problems and help-seeking behavior in Dutch young adults

Authors: Kathleen Vanheusden, PhD, Jan van der Ende, MS, Cornelis L. Mulder, MD, PhD, Frank J. van Lenthe, PhD, Frank C. Verhulst, MD, PhD, Johan P. Mackenbach, MD, PhD

Published in: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology | Issue 3/2009

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Abstract

Background

Mental health problems in young adults are frequent and impairing, but are often left untreated. This study among young adults with self-perceived mental health problems examines beliefs about mental health problems (i.e. their cause, consequences, timeline, and controllability) and help-seeking behaviour.

Method

A cross-sectional population survey (n = 2,258) in the south-west Netherlands. Participants were included who reported having mental health problems during the past year (n = 830). Beliefs about cause, consequences, timeline, and controllability of self-perceived mental health problems were assessed with the Illness Perception Questionnaire. Internalizing and externalizing psychopathology was assessed with the Adult Self-Report.

Results

A multivariate logistic regression analysis indicates that independent of sex, age, and severity of psychopathology, higher levels on the intra-psychic causes scale (OR = 1.95, 95%CI = 1.48–2.58), the consequences scale (OR = 1.81, 95%CI = 1.40–2.33), and the treatment control scale (OR = 1.97, 95%CI = 1.60–2.41) are associated with an increased likelihood of mental health service use, while higher levels of personal control (OR = 0.76, 95%CI = 0.62–0.93) are associated with a decreased likelihood.

Conclusions

Beliefs that may encourage young adults with mental health problems to seek professional help include the beliefs that mental health problems have adverse consequences and that treatment can help. Since these beliefs are related to young adults’ knowledge of mental health problems, help-seeking behavior may be encouraged by educating young adults about mental health problems and the effective mental health treatments which are available.
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Metadata
Title
Beliefs about mental health problems and help-seeking behavior in Dutch young adults
Authors
Kathleen Vanheusden, PhD
Jan van der Ende, MS
Cornelis L. Mulder, MD, PhD
Frank J. van Lenthe, PhD
Frank C. Verhulst, MD, PhD
Johan P. Mackenbach, MD, PhD
Publication date
01-03-2009
Publisher
Steinkopff-Verlag
Published in
Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology / Issue 3/2009
Print ISSN: 0933-7954
Electronic ISSN: 1433-9285
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-008-0428-8

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