Formal versus informal pathways to mental health care in China

ABSTRACT

The reported 20% prevalence rate of diagnosable mental illnesses in China might be underestimated due to individuals’ hesitation to report mental health problems. This study tested whether a person’s mental health diagnosis would lead to endorsement and preference for professional care. A community-based survey was conducted in Shanghai, China (n = 466). A structural model showed that 68.8% of the respondents endorsed professional help. Male respondents had a lower endorsement rate for individuals diagnosed with substance use compared to PTSD, suicide, or schizophrenia. Female respondents showed a higher endorsement rate on formal care for schizophrenia compared to PTSD or depression. In the models between health and mental health care, 34% of the respondents endorsed health care, whereas 46% of the respondents endorsed mental health care, with helping-seeking attitudes and age being significant covariates. In China, resources allocated to public education may improve acceptance of professional pathways to mental health care.

摘要: 由于人们不一定愿意披露自己的心理健康问题，中国所公布的20%精神疾病患率可能是被低估的数字。本研究基于在中国上海进行的一项社区调查，目的是考察心理健康诊断是否会影响人们对专业服务的认可和优先考虑。466名参与者的数据结构模型显示，68.8%的受访者支持专业协助。与创伤后遗症、自杀或精神分裂症患者相比，男性受访者对被诊断患有药物滥用者的认可率较低。与创伤后遗症或抑郁症相比，女性受访者对精神分裂症专业服务的认可率较高。在健康和心理协助的模式中，34%的受访者支持医疗服务，而46%的受访者支持心理辅导，寻求帮助的态度和年龄是显著的协变量。本研究显示，扩大公共教育的资源分配能够提高人们对心理健康服务的接受度。

KEYWORDS:

• Mental health
• pathways to care
• service utilisation
• gender
• China

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The work was supported by the East China University of Science and Technology.