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Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology
Published in: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology 11/2013

01-11-2013 | Original Paper

Predictors of help-seeking duration in adult-onset psychosis in Hong Kong

Authors: Christy L. M. Hui, Jennifer Y. M. Tang, Gloria H. Y. Wong, W. C. Chang, Sherry K. W. Chan, Edwin H. M. Lee, Eric Y. H. Chen

Published in: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology | Issue 11/2013

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Abstract

Purpose

Delay in receiving treatment in psychosis may lead to adverse consequences. We examined the predictors for help-seeking duration in adult-onset psychosis Chinese patients in Hong Kong. We hypothesized that factors which are more related to the illness manifestation would be predictive of waiting time before any help-seeking initiation, and factors which are more related to one’s knowledge about mental health services would be predictive of help-seeking duration.

Methods

First-episode patients with psychosis were recruited from the Jockey Club Early Psychosis project. They were asked to report retrospectively all help-seeking behaviors involved since their first occurrence of psychotic symptoms until receipt of effective psychiatric treatment. Baseline characteristics, pre-morbid functioning and traits, and mode of illness onset were assessed.

Results

Help-seeking pattern was analyzed in 360 patients who had subsequently reached the psychiatric services. They had an average of 2.5 help-seeking contacts. Nearly half of the first help-seeking process was initiated by family members. Only 1 % approached priests or traditional healers as the first step in help-seeking. Whereas a gradual mode of onset was significantly associated with longer waiting time to first help-seeking initiation, more premorbid schizoid and schizotypal traits and a migrant status were related to longer help-seeking duration.

Conclusions

Current findings suggested that family members were the key decision makers in initiating help-seeking. Longer help-seeking duration in migrants has significant implications to both local and global mental health policy.
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Metadata
Title
Predictors of help-seeking duration in adult-onset psychosis in Hong Kong
Authors
Christy L. M. Hui
Jennifer Y. M. Tang
Gloria H. Y. Wong
W. C. Chang
Sherry K. W. Chan
Edwin H. M. Lee
Eric Y. H. Chen
Publication date
01-11-2013
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology / Issue 11/2013
Print ISSN: 0933-7954
Electronic ISSN: 1433-9285
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-013-0688-9

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