scholarly journals Contemplating Help-Seeking in Perinatal Psychological Distress—A Meta-Ethnography

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (10) ◽  
pp. 5226
Author(s):  
Minna Anneli Sorsa ◽  
Jari Kylmä ◽  
Terese Elisabet Bondas
Keyword(s):  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Critical Appraisal ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Perinatal Period ◽  
Linear Process ◽  
Small Children ◽  
Complex Process ◽  
Seeking Help ◽  
Critical Appraisal Skills

Perinatal psychological distress (PPD) may cause delays in help-seeking in the perinatal period, which is crucial for families with small children. Help-seeking theories focus on rational processes of behavior wherein ‘help-seeking’ is viewed as a decision-making process, in which action is preceded by recognizing a problem. We identified the phase prior to actual help-seeking actions as a life situation and a phenomenon through which to gain a deeper understanding from women’s own perspectives. The aim of this study was to integrate and synthesize knowledge of women’s experiences of contemplating seeking help for PPD. We chose interpretative meta-ethnography by Noblit and Hare (1988) and implemented eMERGe guidelines in reporting. The search was performed systematically, and the 14 included studies were evaluated with Critical Appraisal Skills Programme checklist (CASP). We identified seven themes and a metaphor in a lines-of-argument synthesis, showing that contemplating help-seeking is a multidimensional phenomenon. We did not observe a straightforward and linear process (as previous research suggests) but instead a complex process of contemplating help-seeking. A clinical implication is that service providers should work with outreach and develop their tools to connect with mothers with PPD. Another suggestion is to improve training in mental health literacy prior to or during pregnancy.

Internal and External Barriers to Help Seeking: Voices of Men Who Experienced Abuse in the Intimate Relationships

2020 ◽  
pp. 0306624X2091971
Author(s):  
Alexandra Lysova ◽  
Kenzie Hanson ◽  
Louise Dixon ◽  
Emily M. Douglas ◽  
Denise A. Hines ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Help Seeking ◽  
Professional Training ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Intimate Partner ◽  
Semantic Level ◽  
The Public ◽  
Male Roles ◽  
The Family ◽  
Seeking Help ◽  
English Speaking

This qualitative study explores internal and external barriers to help seeking among 41 men from four English-speaking countries who self-reported victimization from a female intimate partner. Twelve online focus groups were conducted and themes were identified inductively at a semantic level. Six identified themes represented four internal (blind to the abuse, maintaining relationships, male roles, and excuses) and two external barriers to help seeking (fear of seeking help and nowhere to go). Most participants who avoided seeking help did so due to their own lack of recognition of abuse and ability to assess their risk of harm, attempts to keep the family intact, masculine stereotypes, and excuses for their partner’s abuse. Some men who expressed an interest in seeking help were discouraged from it due to fear for their personal safety, a potential revictimization in the legal system, and the lack of support services available to men. This research suggests that the individuals who are abused in relationships, service providers, and the public at large could benefit from professional training about gender inclusive approaches to intimate partner abuse.

scholarly journals Longitudinal studies examining the impact of prenatal and subsequent episodes of maternal depression on offspring antisocial behaviour

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanne E. Morgan ◽  
Sue Channon ◽  
Helen Penny ◽  
Cerith S. Waters
Keyword(s):  
Cohort Study ◽  
Maternal Depression ◽  
Longitudinal Studies ◽  
Critical Appraisal ◽  
Antisocial Behaviour ◽  
Perinatal Period ◽  
Cumulative Exposure ◽  
Critical Appraisal Skills ◽  
Prospective Longitudinal ◽  
The Impact

AbstractMaternal depression is associated with adverse child outcomes including antisocial behaviour (ASB). Prospective longitudinal studies have focused on the timing and cumulative exposure to maternal depression to further delineate the association and mechanisms of effect. The objective of this systematic review was to synthesise and evaluate the findings of longitudinal studies of maternal depression and offspring antisocial behaviour. Three databases were searched (Psychinfo, Web of Science, and Medline). Twenty of 5936 studies met inclusion criteria. Study quality was assessed using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme criteria [Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (2017) CASP (cohort observation checklist). https://casp-uk.net/wpcontent/uploads/2018/01/CASP-Cohort-Study-Checklist.pdf]. Results of individual studies were highly varied, using diverse analytical approaches and not all studies explored the independent effects of different episodes. Only three studies examined hypothesised mechanisms. Prenatal, postnatal, and later episodes of depression were all predictive of antisocial outcomes. One particular time period of depression exposure did not emerge as more predictive of offspring ASB than another. However, measures of maternal depression after the perinatal period were limited and typically included a one-off assessment of mothers’ depressive symptoms that was concurrent to the assessment of offspring ASB. When cumulative exposure to maternal depression and specific timing effects were measured within the same study it was cumulative exposure that conferred the greatest risk for offspring ASB—particularly when this exposure began during the perinatal period. Findings are discussed in terms of limitations in the literature and highlight the need for future research to examine the biological and environmental mechanisms that underpin associations between maternal depression and offspring antisocial behaviour during different stages of development.

scholarly journals BREAST RECONSTRUCTION FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF WOMEN SUBMITTED TO MASTECTOMY: A META-ETNOGRAPHY

2019 ◽  
Vol 28 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cilene Volkmer ◽  
Evanguelia Kotzias Atherino dos Santos ◽  
Alacoque Lorenzini Erdmann ◽  
Fabiana Flores Sperandio ◽  
Marli Terezinha Stein Backes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Reconstruction ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Critical Appraisal ◽  
Scientific Literature ◽  
Exclusion Criteria ◽  
Reconstruction Process ◽  
Ethnographic Approach ◽  
Complex Process ◽  
Critical Appraisal Skills ◽  
Type Of Surgery

ABSTRACT Objective: to analyze qualitative studies published in the national and international scientific literature on breast reconstruction after mastectomy for breast cancer, from the perspective of women. Method: systematic literature review using meta-ethnography, where the synthesis of knowledge is based on the induction and interpretation of the data found. Searches in the electronic databases identified 65 studies. 27 studides meet the inclusion and exclusion criteria. 13 studies compressed the analytical corpus of the review, according to the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme checklist. The data were synthesized by means of the meta-ethnographic approach. Results: the analyzed studies showed similarities regarding the women´s decision to perform breast reconstruction, the difficulty of choosing the type of surgery and to deal with the experience of the reconstruction, and that the women had difficulties in establishing relationships with certain health professionals, especially with doctors. They refer to the ambivalence of feelings regarding the expectations and results of breast reconstruction and complex process of "carrying on". Conclusion: this review synthesizes the scientific knowledge regarding women's perspective regarding the breast reconstruction process and highlights that health professionals must understand the perceptions of women undergoing mastectomy and breast reconstruction in order to improve the care provided.

scholarly journals Seeking help for perinatal psychological distress: a meta-synthesis of women’s experiences

2017 ◽  
Vol 67 (663) ◽  
pp. e692-e699 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan Button ◽  
Alexandra Thornton ◽  
Suzanne Lee ◽  
Judy Shakespeare ◽  
Susan Ayers
Keyword(s):  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Continuity Of Care ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Perinatal Care ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
Effective Means ◽  
Women’S Experiences ◽  
Women's Experiences ◽  
Seeking Help

BackgroundWomen may not seek help for perinatal psychological distress, despite regular contact with primary care services. Barriers include ignorance of symptoms, inability to disclose distress, others’ attitudes, and cultural expectations. Much of the evidence has been obtained from North American populations and may not, therefore, extrapolate to the UK.AimTo understand the factors affecting women’s decision to seek help for perinatal distress.Design and settingMeta-synthesis of the available published qualitative evidence on UK women’s experiences of seeking help for perinatal distress.MethodSystematic searches were conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Databases searched were PubMed, Scopus, PsycINFO, PsycARTICLES, CINAHL, and Academic Search Complete. Searches of grey literature and references were also conducted. Studies were eligible for inclusion if they reported qualitative data on UK women’s experiences of perinatal distress and contact with healthcare professionals. The synthesis was conducted using meta-ethnography.ResultsIn all, 24 studies were eligible for inclusion. Metasynthesis identified three main themes: identifying a problem, the influence of healthcare professionals, and stigma. These themes build on current understanding of help seeking by identifying the need for women to be able to frame their experience, for healthcare professionals to educate women about their roles, the need for continuity of care, and the way that being seen as a ‘bad mother’ causes women to self-silence.ConclusionPerinatal care provision needs to allow for continuity of care and for staff training that facilitates awareness of factors that influence women’s help seeking. Further research is required, particularly in relation to effective means of identifying perinatal psychological distress.

scholarly journals A Grounded Theory Study: How Non-Treatment-Seeking Substance Users Make Sense of Their Behaviour “I Want To Be Me but I Don’t Know Who Me Is”

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Lawson ◽  
Helen Griffiths
Keyword(s):  
Grounded Theory ◽  
Service Provision ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Constructivist Grounded Theory ◽  
Treatment Seeking ◽  
Theory Approach ◽  
Specialist Service ◽  
Substance Users ◽  
Seeking Help ◽  
Grounded Theory Approach

AbstractDespite the global impact of substance misuse, there are inadequate levels of specialist service provision and continued difficulties with treatment engagement. Within policy and research, there is substantial consideration of the importance of these factors. However, there is little empirical evidence of the views of non-treatment-seeking substance users, who make up the majority of the substance using population. The aim of this study was to understand how these individuals make sense of their behaviour and their reasons for not accessing treatment. A constructivist grounded theory approach was used to interview eight individuals who were currently using substances and not seeking help to stop. The analysis highlighted the importance of attachment to an identity associated with substance use, and relational variables such as connectedness to others, for treatment decisions for individuals who use substances. Understanding these influences, through trauma- and attachment-informed service provision, may reduce barriers to help-seeking and improve treatment uptake.

scholarly journals Help-Seeking Behavior and Treatment Barriers in Anxiety Disorders: Results from a Representative German Community Survey

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ingmar Heinig ◽  
Hans-Ulrich Wittchen ◽  
Susanne Knappe
Keyword(s):  
Anxiety Disorders ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Public Attitudes ◽  
Treatment Barriers ◽  
Help Seeking Behavior ◽  
Target Individual ◽  
Seeking Behavior ◽  
Seeking Help ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
Receive Treatment

AbstractAlthough effective therapies exist, treatment rates of anxiety disorders (AD) are low, raising the question why affected individuals do not receive treatment. We provide data from the nationally representative German Health Interview and Examination Survey-2011 (DEGS1) on the help-seeking behavior and perceived treatment barriers of 650 subjects with Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders’ (DSM-IV AD). Only 26% of all cases with AD in the community reported having had contact with mental health services because of their anxiety problems in their lifetime. 16% were currently receiving professional help, most frequently by psychotherapists (8%), psychiatrists (5%) and general practitioners (5%). 40% of all cases never even considered seeking help and 31% reported barriers to treatment, such as self-reliance (18%) or beliefs that treatments were ineffective (9%), unavailable (8%) or too stigmatizing (7%). Measures to increase treatment rates should thus target individual as well as public attitudes and health literacy to increase awareness of and access to evidence-based interventions.

scholarly journals Metacognitive control processes in question answering: help seeking and withholding answers

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monika Undorf ◽  
Iris Livneh ◽  
Rakefet Ackerman
Keyword(s):  
Help Seeking ◽  
Question Answering ◽  
Monetary Incentives ◽  
Metacognitive Control ◽  
Self Regulated Learning ◽  
Response Strategies ◽  
Seeking Help ◽  
Subjective Confidence ◽  
Different Populations ◽  
The Relationship

AbstractWhen responding to knowledge questions, people monitor their confidence in the knowledge they retrieve from memory and strategically regulate their responses so as to provide answers that are both correct and informative. The current study investigated the association between subjective confidence and the use of two response strategies: seeking help and withholding answers by responding “I don’t know”. Seeking help has been extensively studied as a resource management strategy in self-regulated learning, but has been largely neglected in metacognition research. In contrast, withholding answers has received less attention in educational studies than in metacognition research. Across three experiments, we compared the relationship between subjective confidence and strategy use in conditions where participants could choose between submitting answers and seeking help, between submitting and withholding answers, or between submitting answers, seeking help, and withholding answers. Results consistently showed that the association between confidence and help seeking was weaker than that between confidence and withholding answers. This difference was found for participants from two different populations, remained when participants received monetary incentives for accurate answers, and replicated across two forms of help. Our findings suggest that seeking help is guided by a wider variety of considerations than withholding answers, with some considerations going beyond improving the immediate accuracy of one’s answers. We discuss implications for research on metacognition and regarding question answering in educational and other contexts.

scholarly journals Modifying Self-Blame, Self-Esteem, and Disclosure Through a Cooperative Cross-Age Teaching Intervention for Bullying Among Adolescents

2017 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
pp. 609-626 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael J. Boulton ◽  
Louise Boulton
Keyword(s):  
Help Seeking ◽  
Social Issues ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Random Allocation ◽  
Cooperative Groups ◽  
School Students ◽  
Self Blame ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Post Test ◽  
Seeking Help

Bullying is common among school students, and some victims hold self-blaming attributions, exhibit low self-esteem, and do not seek social support. A wait-list control pre-/post-test experimental design, with random allocation, was used to assess the effects of a novel cross-age teaching of social issues (CATS) intervention on the latter 3 variables among peer-identified victims of bullying (N = 41, mean age = 14.5 years). In small cooperative groups of classmates, participants designed and delivered a lesson to younger students that informed them that bullies not victims are in the wrong, victims have no reason to feel bad about themselves, and that seeking help can be beneficial. CATS led to a significant improvement on all 3 dependent variables with mostly large effect sizes; these positive effects were even stronger with a bigger dose of intervention (6 hr vs. 4 hr), and changes in self-blame, and separately changes in self-esteem, mediated the positive effect of the intervention on help-seeking. The theoretical and practical implications of these results were discussed, especially in terms of supporting a highly vulnerable subgroup of adolescents.

Stigma and its impact on help-seeking for mental disorders: what do we know?

2008 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-37 ◽  
Author(s):  
Georg Schomerus ◽  
Matthias C. Angermeyer
Keyword(s):  
Mental Illness ◽  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Public Attitudes ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Professional Help ◽  
Promising Target ◽  
Individual Discrimination ◽  
Stigma Of Mental Illness ◽  
Seeking Help

SummaryAims – Many people suffering from serious mental illness do not seek appropriate medical help. The stigma of mental illness has often been considered a potential cause for reluctance in seeking help. We review recent evidence on this topic. Methods – Narrative review of the recent literature on stigma and helpseeking for psychiatric disorders. Results – There is proof of a particular stigma attached to seeking help for a mental problem. Anticipated individual discrimination and discrimination qua self-stigmatisation are associated with a reduced readiness to seek professional help for mental disorders. Intervention studies show that destigmatisation may lead to increased readiness to seek professional help, but other aspects like knowledge about mental diseases seem to be at least as important. The belief that seeking help for a mental health problem is actually helpful has been shown to be at the core of help-seeking intentions and thus offers a promising target for information programmes. Population based time-trend studies show that public attitudes towards help-seeking have improved over the last decade. Discussion – The relationship between help-seeking intentions and actual help-seeking needs further exploration. While many studies have been able to relate attitudes to intentions, predicting actual help-seeking has proved more difficult.Declaration of Interest: None.

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