Erschienen in:
01.11.2013 | Original Paper
Predictors of help-seeking duration in adult-onset psychosis in Hong Kong
verfasst von:
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
Erschienen in:
Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology
|
Ausgabe 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.