scholarly journals eMental Health Literacy and Psychological Distress as Predictors of Barriers to Mental Health Services

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 865-866
Author(s):  
Eve Root ◽  
Grace Caskie
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Mental Health Information ◽  
Health Related ◽  
The Way

Abstract Since the COVID-19 pandemic, psychologists have begun to rely heavily on technology to provide mental health information and services (APA, 2020). As the older adult population increases, the number of older adults in need of mental health services also increases; however, little is known about the way older adults might utilize technology to inform mental health-related decisions. This study expands on the construct of eHealth Literacy by examining eMental Health Literacy, which is defined as the degree to which individuals seek, find, understand, and appraise basic mental health information and services online that are needed to inform mental health-related decisions. A sample of 244 older adults (M=68.34, range=65-82 years) were recruited online through Amazon Mechanical Turk. A structural equation model was estimated specifying eMental Health Literacy and psychological distress as predictors of extrinsic and intrinsic barriers to mental health services. After adding three correlated errors, the model achieved good fit (χ2(110)=329.20, p<.001, SRMR=.08, CFI=.93, TLI=.91, GFI=.86, RMSEA=.09). All indicators were significantly related to their latent construct (p<.001). The results indicated that, controlling for psychological distress, higher eMental health literacy was significantly related to fewer reported intrinsic (b=-.386, p<.001) and extrinsic barriers (b=-.315, p<.001) to mental health services. Higher distress was also significantly related to more intrinsic (b=.537, p<.001) and extrinsic barriers (b=.645, p<.001) to mental health services. These findings suggest that, as we move towards a more digital world, eMental health literacy could play a significant role in the way older adults navigate through the mental healthcare system.

An examination of the quality of late-life depression websites on the Internet (Preprint)

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Teaghan Pryor ◽  
Kristin Reynolds ◽  
Paige Kirby ◽  
Matthew Bernstein
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Mental Health Literacy ◽  
Late Life ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Late Life Depression ◽  
Mental Health Information

BACKGROUND The Internet can increase the accessibility of mental health information and improve the mental health literacy of older adults. The quality of mental health information on the Internet can be inaccurate or biased, leading to misinformation OBJECTIVE This study’s objectives were to evaluate the quality, usability, and readability of websites providing information concerning depression in later life. METHODS Websites were identified through a Google search, and evaluated by assessing quality (DISCERN), usability (Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool; PEMAT) and readability (Simple Measure of Gobbledygook; SMOG). RESULTS The overall quality of late-life depression websites (N = 19) was moderate, usability was low, and readability was poor. No significant relationship was found between quality and readability of websites. CONCLUSIONS Websites can be improved by enhancing information quality, usability, and readability related to late-life depression. The use of high-quality websites may improve mental health literacy and shared treatment decision-making for older adults.

Mental health literacy as a mediator in use of mental health services among older korean adults

2016 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 269-279 ◽  
Author(s):  
Young Sun Kim ◽  
T. Greg Rhee ◽  
Hee Yun Lee ◽  
Byung Hyun Park ◽  
Monica L. Sharratt
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Mental Health Literacy ◽  
Health Services Utilization ◽  
Path Model ◽  
Services Utilization ◽  
Mental Health Services Utilization

ABSTRACTBackground:Existing literature suggests that mental health literacy is positively associated with mental health services utilization. Despite an aging population that faces significant mental health concerns in Korea, the role of mental health literacy on mental health services utilization is not known among older adults in Korea. This study aimed to (1) identify whether mental health literacy mediates the association between population characteristics and mental health services utilization and (2) identify an optimal path model for mental health services utilization among Korean older adults.Methods:Using a cross-sectional survey with a quota sampling strategy, we collected and analyzed responses from 596 community-dwelling individuals ages 65 years and older. We used structural equation modeling (SEM) to estimate the effect of mental health literacy as a mediator.Results:When controlling for other relevant covariates in the optimal path model, mental health literacy mediated the relationships between three socio-demographic factors (education, general literacy, and health status) and mental health services utilization. The model fit index shows that the SEM fits very well (CFI = 0.92, NFI = 0.90, RMSEA = 0.07).Conclusions:Efforts to improve mental health literacy through community-based education programs may need to particularly target Korean older adults with the relevant socio-demographic characteristics to enhance their utilization of appropriate mental health services.

scholarly journals eMental Health Literacy and the Relationship to Barriers to Mental Health Care

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 305-305
Author(s):  
Eve Root ◽  
Grace Caskie
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Amazon Mechanical Turk ◽  
Correlated Errors ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract According to the American Psychological Association (2017), one in four individuals who are 65 years and older experience a mental health problem; however, many older adults do not receive the services they need and deserve (Karlin, 2008). The current study utilizes a new concept similar to eHealth Literacy called eMental Health Literacy, defined as the degree to which individuals obtain, process, and understand basic mental health information and services needed to aid their recognition, management, or prevention of mental health issues. The relationship of eMental Health Literacy to perceived barriers to receiving mental health services was examined in a sample of middle-aged and older adults. We hypothesized that higher eMental Health Literacy would predict fewer reported barriers to mental health services. A sample of 243 participants (M=63.33, range=55-80 years) were recruited online through Amazon Mechanical Turk to complete measures assessing eMental Health Literacy (eMHEALS) and mental health barriers (BMHSSS-R). After adding two correlated errors, a structural equation model specifying eMHEALS as a predictor of extrinsic and intrinsic barriers to mental health services achieved good fit (χ2(60)=170.014, p<.001, SRMR=.068, CFI=.944, GFI=.901, TLI=.927, RMSEA=.087). All indicators were significantly related to their latent construct (p<.001). The results indicate higher eMental Health Literacy significantly predicted fewer reported intrinsic and fewer extrinsic barriers to mental health services. These relationships were statistically significant even when examined across differing socioeconomic status and age. These findings indicate eMental Health Literacy may have significant impact on the way individuals in later life navigate through the mental healthcare system.

scholarly journals New Mental Health Information Strategy

2000 ◽  
Vol 24 (11) ◽  
pp. 426-428
Author(s):  
Martin Elphick
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Information Strategy ◽  
Mental Health Information ◽  
National Approach

What follows is an attempt to summarise the current national approach to the management of information in mental health services. There are many different perspectives – mine is that of a member of the College Informatics Sub-Committee and lead psychiatrist for the NHS Information Authority.

Personality and Barriers to Mental Health Services Among Older Adults

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Renee L. Pepin ◽  
Daniel L. Segal ◽  
Frederick L. Coolidge
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services

scholarly journals Teaching Family Nurse Practitioner Students to Provide Mental Health Care to Older Adults

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 10-11
Author(s):  
Victoria Grando ◽  
Roy Grando
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Primary Care ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Treatment Plan ◽  
Primary Care Providers ◽  
Neurocognitive Disorders ◽  
Mental Condition ◽  
Care Providers

Abstract In recent years, FNPs have been challenged to deliver mental health services in the primary care setting. Over half of mental health services are provided in primary care, and one-quarter of all primary care patients have a mental disorder. Moreover, 20% of older adults have a mental or neurological disorder often not diagnosed. Nationally, it is estimated that 17% of older adults commit suicide, 15% have a mental condition, 11% have dementia, and 5% have a serious mental condition. There is a paucity of adequately prepared primary care providers trained in geropsychiatric treatment. A didactic course was developed to instruct FNP students in the skills needed to provide mental health treatment in primary care. We discuss mental illness in the context of culture to ensure that treatment is congruent with a patient’s unique cultural background and experiences. This shapes the patients’ beliefs and behaviors that influence the way they view their condition and what they perceive as acceptable solutions. We then go into detail about the common mental conditions that older adults exhibit. Through the case study method, students learn to identify the presenting problem, protocols for analyzing the case, which includes making differential diagnoses and a treatment plan including initial medications, non-medical treatments, and referral. Students are introduced to the DMS-5 to learn the criteria for mental health diagnosis with an emphasis on suicide, depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorders, substance use disorders, and neurocognitive disorders. We have found that students most often misdiagnose neurocognitive disorders.

scholarly journals Higher Rates of Untreated Distress in Older Versus Younger Adults With Indolent Lymphoma

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 466-466
Author(s):  
Kelly Trevino ◽  
Peter Martin ◽  
John Leonard
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Mental Health Service ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Service ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Service Use ◽  
Mental Health Service Use ◽  
Health Service Use ◽  
Younger Adults

Abstract Indolent lymphomas are incurable but slow-growing cancers, resulting in a large number of older adults living with these diseases. Patients typically live with their illness for years with the knowledge that disease progression is likely. Yet, little is known about psychological distress in this population. This study examined rates of and the relationship between distress and mental health service use in older and younger adults with indolent lymphomas. Adult patients diagnosed with an indolent lymphoma (e.g., follicular lymphoma, marginal zone lymphoma) within the past six months completed self-report surveys of distress (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale; HADS) and mental health service use since the cancer diagnosis (yes/no). Descriptive statistics, t-tests, and chi-square analyses were used to examine study questions. The sample (n=84) included 35 patients 65 years or older. Across the entire sample, 21.4% screened positive for distress on the HADS; 58.8% of these patients did not receive mental health services. Older adults reported lower distress levels than younger adults (17.1% v. 24.5%; p=.038). Among younger adults, 50% of distressed patients received mental health services; only 20% of distressed older adults received mental health services. Distress was associated with mental health service use in younger adults (p=.004) but not in older adults (p=.17). Older adults with indolent lymphomas have higher levels of untreated distress than younger adults. Research on the mechanisms underlying these age differences (e.g., stigma toward mental health services, ageism) would inform interventions to increase rates of mental health service use and reduce care disparities due to age.

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