scholarly journals Use of Online Forums for Perinatal Mental Illness, Stigma, and Disclosure: An Exploratory Model

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. e6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donna Moore ◽  
Nicholas Drey ◽  
Susan Ayers
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Mental Illness Stigma ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Online Forums ◽  
Theoretical Concepts

Background Perinatal mental illness is a global health concern; however, many women with the illness do not get the treatment they need to recover. Interventions that reduce the stigma around perinatal mental illness have the potential to enable women to disclose their symptoms to health care providers and consequently access treatment. There are many online forums for perinatal mental illness and thousands of women use them. Preliminary research suggests that online forums may promote help-seeking behavior, potentially because they have a role in challenging stigma. This study draws from these findings and theoretical concepts to present a model of forum use, stigma, and disclosure. Objective This study tested a model that measured the mediating role of stigma between online forum use and disclosure of affective symptoms to health care providers. Methods A Web-based survey of 200 women who were pregnant or had a child younger than 5 years and considered themselves to be experiencing psychological distress was conducted. Women were recruited through social media and questions measured forum usage, perinatal mental illness stigma, disclosure to health care providers, depression and anxiety symptoms, barriers to disclosure, and demographic information. Results There was a significant positive indirect effect of length of forum use on disclosure of symptoms through internal stigma, b=0.40, bias-corrected and accelerated (BCa) 95% CI 0.13-0.85. Long-term forum users reported higher levels of internal stigma, and higher internal stigma was associated with disclosure of symptoms to health care providers when controlling for symptoms of depression and anxiety. Conclusions Internal stigma mediates the relationship between length of forum use and disclosure to health care providers. Findings suggest that forums have the potential to enable women to recognize and reveal their internal stigma, which may in turn lead to greater disclosure of symptoms to health care providers. Clinicians could refer clients to trustworthy and moderated online forums that facilitate expression of perinatal mental illness stigma and promote disclosure to health care providers.

scholarly journals A Thematic Analysis of Stigma and Disclosure for Perinatal Depression on an Online Forum

2016 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. e18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donna Moore ◽  
Susan Ayers ◽  
Nicholas Drey
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Care Provider ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Online Forums ◽  
Negative Experiences ◽  
Treatment Uptake ◽  
Professional Treatment

Background Perinatal mental illness is a global health concern; however, many women do not get the treatment they need to recover. Some women choose not to seek professional help and get no treatment because they feel stigmatized. Online forums for various health conditions, including perinatal mental health, can be beneficial for members. Little is known about the role that online forums for perinatal mental illness play in reducing stigma and subsequent disclosure of symptoms to health care providers and treatment uptake. Objective This study aimed to examine stigma and disclosure in forums and describe any potential disadvantages of forum use. Methods An online forum for mothers was examined and 1546 messages extracted from 102 threads from the antenatal and postnatal depression section. These messages were subjected to deductive systematic thematic analysis to identify common themes regarding stigma and disclosure of symptoms and potential disadvantages of forum use. Results Two major themes were identified: stigma and negative experiences of disclosure. Stigma had 3 subthemes: internal stigma, external stigma, and treatment stigma. Many women were concerned about feeling like a “bad” or “failed” mother and worried that if they disclosed their symptoms to a health care provider they would be stigmatized. Posts in response to this frequently encouraged women to disclose their symptoms to health care providers and accept professional treatment. Forum discourse reconstructed the ideology of motherhood as compatible with perinatal mental illness, especially if the woman sought help and adhered to treatment. Many women overcame stigma and replied that they had taken advice and disclosed to a health care provider and/or taken treatment. Conclusions Forum use may increase women's disclosure to health care providers by challenging their internal and external stigma and this may strengthen professional treatment uptake and adherence. However, a few posts described negative experiences when disclosing to health care providers.

Clients and carers perception of mental illness and factors that influence help-seeking: Where they go first and why

2017 ◽  
Vol 63 (5) ◽  
pp. 418-425 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harris K Chilale ◽  
Ndumanene Devlin Silungwe ◽  
Saulos Gondwe ◽  
Charles Masulani-Mwale
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Spirit Possession ◽  
Explanatory Models ◽  
Hospital Treatment ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Care Giving ◽  
Help Seeking Behaviour

Objective: In Northern Malawi, the duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) is longer than that in high-income countries. The reasons for the delay in help-seeking are not known, although studies show multiple reasons. This research was conducted to establish health care help-seeking behaviours and identify barriers that exist between service users and health care providers. The study also intended to establish the beliefs that clients and family members have regarding the causes of mental illness which profoundly shape help-seeking, care giving process and outcomes. Methodology: The study employed the exploratory phenomenological method, utilizing focus group discussions (FGDs) in the sampled population. The Health Belief Model and Disease Explanatory Models were conveniently chosen a priori by researchers to develop guide questions to explore clients’ and carers’ perceptions of the illness and their health care help-seeking behaviours. Results: Results show a bio-psycho-social inclination of disease causation and help-seeking behaviour. Causes of mental illness are understood in three categories, namely: physical/biological, psychological and socio-cultural. The majority of participants attributed mental illness to socio-cultural factors, with witchcraft, spirit possession and curses as main determinants. Causal perceptions also influenced help-seeking pathways. Many participants reported consulting traditional healers first, for diagnosis and to know who was responsible. Conclusion: In this study, it has been found that help-seeking is influenced by the understanding of the source of the illness – which has a bio-psychosocial inclination. The socio-cultural explanation of witchcraft and spirit possession is dominant and a determinant of help-seeking behaviour. While participants noted benefits to hospital treatment, barriers and bio-psychosocial in nature were also noted. Guardians and not clients hold the key to choice of treatment modality and therefore a potential ally in all treatment interventions promotive, preventive and curative. There is need for strengthening of a bio-psychosocial intervention model in the treatment of mental illness.

scholarly journals Depression and Suicidality in Gay Men: Implications for Health Care Providers

2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 910-919 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carrie Lee ◽  
John L. Oliffe ◽  
Mary T. Kelly ◽  
Olivier Ferlatte
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Gay Men ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Sexual Practices ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Prevalence Of Depression

Gay men are a subgroup vulnerable to depression and suicidality. The prevalence of depression among gay men is three times higher than the general adult population. Because depression is a known risk factor for suicide, gay men are also at high risk for suicidality. Despite the high prevalence of depression and suicidality, health researchers and health care providers have tended to focus on sexual health issues, most often human immunodeficiency virus in gay men. Related to this, gay men’s health has often been defined by sexual practices, and poorly understood are the intersections of gay men’s physical and mental health with social determinants of health including ethnicity, locale, education level, and socioeconomic status. In the current article summated is literature addressing risk factors for depression and suicidality among gay men including family acceptance of their sexual identities, social cohesion and belonging, internalized stigma, and victimization. Barriers to gay men’s help seeking are also discussed in detailing how health care providers might advance the well-being of this underserved subgroup by effectively addressing depression and suicidality.

scholarly journals New Syphilis Cases in Older Adults, 2004–2019: An Analysis of Surveillance Data From South China

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cheng Wang ◽  
Peizhen Zhao ◽  
Mingzhou Xiong ◽  
Joseph D. Tucker ◽  
Jason J. Ong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Temporal Trends ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Targeted Prevention ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Annual Percent Change ◽  
Syphilis Infection ◽  
Over Time

Background: Sexual health among older adults is a major public health concern globally. The syphilis burden is increasing in older adults in China. This study aimed to describe factors associated with syphilis infection and diagnosis among older adults in China during a 16 year period.Methods: Using 16 years of data (2004–2019) from the syphilis case report system of Guangdong, China, we compared data from older adults (aged ≥50 years) with those from younger people (aged 15–49 years). We compared the two age group with the Chi-square test for difference, and Joinpoint regression models to assess the temporal trends.Results: During the study period, 242,115 new syphilis diagnoses were reported in older adults. The mean notification rate of new diagnoses was 64.1 per 100,000 population across the entire 16-year period, which significantly increased over time (average annual percent change [AAPC] 16.2%, 95% CI 13.7–18.7). Syphilis diagnoses increased significantly over time among less developed cities and older women. In 2019, compared with younger adults, newly diagnosed older adults were more likely to be male, native to reporting city, had unknown transmission routes, and were diagnosed late.Conclusion: Our findings call for an urgent need to deliver more targeted prevention interventions for older adults, such as strengthen awareness among health care providers, and integration of syphilis services and primary health care for older adults.

scholarly journals Disclosure of herbal medicine use to health care providers among pregnant women in Nepal: a cross-sectional study

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mansoor Ahmed ◽  
Hyea Bin Im ◽  
Jung Hye Hwang ◽  
Dongwoon Han
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Herbal Medicine ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional

Abstract Background Pregnant women’s disclosure of herbal medicine (HM) use to their health care providers during pregnancy is crucial, as misuse of HM can have a detrimental effect on both pregnant woman and the fetus. However, the lack of disclosure of HM use to physicians remains a public health concern in developing countries such as Nepal. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 400 postpartum women admitted at Maternity and Women’s Hospital located in Kathmandu, Nepal. The survey instrument included 30 questions on the use of HM during pregnancy, sociodemographic and health characteristics, and pregnancy outcomes. Chi-square test and logistic regression were conducted for data analysis using SPSS ver. 21.0., and a p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant for all analyses. Results 60.3% of respondents used at least one herbal remedy during their previous pregnancy, and the overall disclosure rate of HM use to healthcare providers was 54.6%. Women with secondary education level and four or more antenatal care visits were more likely to disclose their HM use to healthcare providers. Conclusions This study highlights that despite the popular use of HM among pregnant women in Nepal, most women obtained HM-related information from informal sources and did not disclose their HM use to physicians. To ensure the safe use of HM, physicians should integrate questions regarding patients’ HM use into their routine patient assessments to facilitate active communication and improve the quality of care.

Hispanics, Mental Health, and Suicide: Brief Report

2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 133-136 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francisco Brenes
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Hispanic Americans ◽  
Social Issues ◽  
The United States ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Provider Attitudes ◽  
Health Crisis

A global health crisis exists surrounding suicide. In the United States, suicide rates have increased by nearly 30% in most states since 1999. Although the suicide rate among Hispanic Americans is significantly lower than non-Hispanic Whites, reasons for the lower rate are unclear. Current literature suggests that the lower rate may be due to underreporting, a lack of suicide screening and a number of complex social issues, including the stigma surrounding suicide in Hispanic culture. Health care provider attitudes toward suicidal individuals may also negatively affect mental health outcomes. This brief report focuses on suicide as a public health concern, addresses key issues arising from the phenomenon, and provides a perspective on health care providers’ attitudes toward suicide. Recommendations for future research, as well as implications for clinical practice and policy, are suggested.

“Hear me out”: Experiences of mothers suffering from severe mental illness with health care providers – A qualitative perspective

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. s899-s899 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Banerjee ◽  
G. Desai ◽  
P.S. Chandra
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Severe Mental Illness ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Seeking Help ◽  
Competing Interest

BackgroundContrary to popular myth, majority of mentally ill women are mothers with increasing number of them seeking help. Little is known about their own experiences in this regard and the extent to which their needs are met.ObjectivesTo assess the barriers and facilitators in seeking help from mental health care providers in matters of pregnancy and parenting.MethodsThe study used qualitative design with social constructivist paradigm. A purposive sample of 30 mothers with severe mental illness was obtained. Data was collected through one-to-one in-depth semi-structured interviews. After verbatim transcription, inductive thematic analysis was used to explore transcripts.ResultsMost women considered motherhood “central” to their lives and almost all of them experienced the burden of the “dual role”. Main barriers in seeking help were stigma, treatment side effects, wrong information and time constraints. Whereas self-advocacy, early engagement, education of women and involvement of the family with service providers were the facilitating factors. The prime expectations of the mothers as identified were early and direct communication, patient audience and basic guidance in regards to child health and parenting issues.ConclusionWomen who are mothers and also users of mental health services face special challenges in managing the contradictory aspects of their dual identity. Hearing their voices are essential for service provision and ensuring adequate mental health needs. Early and direct intervention along with understanding and addressing critical areas are necessary for proper care of both the mother and child.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Refugee and Immigrant Women’s Experience of Postpartum Depression: A Meta-Synthesis

2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 84-100 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carolyn L. Tobin ◽  
Pam Di Napoli ◽  
Cheryl Tatano Beck
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Postpartum Depression ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Immigrant Women ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Raising Awareness ◽  
Effective Care ◽  
Insight Into

The aim of this work is to synthesize qualitative research on refugee and immigrant women’s experiences of postpartum depression (PPD) to gain insight into the unique needs of this group of women. This population is more at risk of developing PPD due to a complexity of issues including pre- and postmigratory stressors; however, there is currently little research on this topic available to health care providers and policy makers. Thirteen articles met inclusion criteria, and five themes emerged from the meta-synthesis: (a) suffering in solitude, (b) the invisible illness, (c) cultural conceptualizations, (d) barriers to help seeking, and (e) facilitators of help seeking. Conclusions suggest immigrant women with PPD may lack understanding of their condition, are often isolated, are alone, fear stigmatization, and risk being considered an unfit mother. Raising awareness with health care providers of the meaning of PPD for immigrant women is key to the provision of effective care.

scholarly journals Cyberbullying Prevention and Intervention Efforts: Current Knowledge and Future Directions

2016 ◽  
Vol 62 (6) ◽  
pp. 374-380 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dorothy L. Espelage ◽  
Jun Sung Hong
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Online Communication ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Prevention And Intervention ◽  
Technological Advances

Bullying is a serious public health concern that is associated with significant negative mental, social, and physical outcomes. Technological advances have increased adolescents’ use of social media, and online communication platforms have exposed adolescents to another mode of bullying— cyberbullying. Prevention and intervention materials, from websites and tip sheets to classroom curriculum, have been developed to help youth, parents, and teachers address cyberbullying. While youth and parents are willing to disclose their experiences with bullying to their health care providers, these disclosures need to be taken seriously and handled in a caring manner. Health care providers need to include questions about bullying on intake forms to encourage these disclosures. The aim of this article is to examine the current status of cyberbullying prevention and intervention. Research support for several school-based intervention programs is summarised. Recommendations for future research are provided.

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