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Research
Ada Fung
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Corresponding Author
ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7439-3503
License:
This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License. Read Full License
Background
Mental health symptoms can be subtle, resulting in delaying treatment. A prompt identification of mental signs and symptoms is important for preventing mental disorders in the public. This study examined whether local public have adequate knowledge to identify mental health symptoms and the need to get timely professional help.
Methods
A population-based telephone surveys based on 4033 respondents aged 12 to 75 years were conducted in 2015 and 2018. Mental health knowledge and help seeking attitude were assessed using six vignettes depicting subtle and obvious symptoms of anxiety disorders, mixed anxiety and depressive disorders, and dementia. Logistic regression models were performed to examine association between mental health knowledge and help-seeking attitude.
Results
Poor knowledge in subtle symptoms are more likely to be males (t=-5.0, p<.001), younger (F=15.0, p<.001), have tertiary education (F= 15.0, p<.001), and employed (t=-2.1, p=.037). Binary logistic regression found that poor knowledge of subtle symptoms was associated with reluctance to professional help seeking.
Conclusions
Highly educated working males are less proficiently in identifying subtle mental health symptoms. Poorly identified subtle symptoms is a major barrier to early professional help. Future research should explore specific interventions to increase knowledge and professional help seeking in this group.
Keywords
Barriers, prevention, psychiatry, mood symptoms, onset, severity, recognition
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Peer Review Timeline
CURRENT STATUS: Under Review
Version 1
Posted 08 Feb, 2021
No community comments so far
Editorial decision: Major revision
On 01 Mar, 2021
Review #1 received
Received 26 Feb, 2021
Review #2 received
Received 22 Feb, 2021
Reviewer #2 agreed
On 11 Feb, 2021
Reviews received
Received 10 Feb, 2021
Reviewers invited
Invitations sent on 10 Feb, 2021
Reviewer #1 agreed
On 10 Feb, 2021
Editor assigned
On 28 Jan, 2021
Submission checks complete
On 28 Jan, 2021
Editor invited
On 28 Jan, 2021
First submitted
On 27 Jan, 2021
Metrics
Comments: 0
PDF Downloads: ...
HTML Views: ...
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A new preprint design is coming!
We have improved readability, clarity, accessibility, and opportunities for engagement.
This preprint is under consideration at International Journal of Mental Health Systems. A preprint is a preliminary version of a manuscript that has not completed peer review at a journal. Research Square does not conduct peer review prior to posting preprints. The posting of a preprint on this server should not be interpreted as an endorsement of its validity or suitability for dissemination as established information or for guiding clinical practice.
Learn more about In Review
Research
Ada Fung
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Corresponding Author
ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7439-3503
Badges
Prescreen
This manuscript passed our Prescreen assessment
Complete author information
Appropriate declaration statements
Potential risks to human health
Prescreen
Peer Review Timeline
CURRENT STATUS: Under Review
Version 1
Posted 08 Feb, 2021
No community comments so far
Editorial decision: Major revision
On 01 Mar, 2021
Review #1 received
Received 26 Feb, 2021
Review #2 received
Received 22 Feb, 2021
Reviewer #2 agreed
On 11 Feb, 2021
Reviews received
Received 10 Feb, 2021
Reviewers invited
Invitations sent on 10 Feb, 2021
Reviewer #1 agreed
On 10 Feb, 2021
Editor assigned
On 28 Jan, 2021
Submission checks complete
On 28 Jan, 2021
Editor invited
On 28 Jan, 2021
First submitted
On 27 Jan, 2021
Metrics
Comments: 0
PDF Downloads: ...
HTML Views: ...
License:
This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License. Read Full License
Background
Mental health symptoms can be subtle, resulting in delaying treatment. A prompt identification of mental signs and symptoms is important for preventing mental disorders in the public. This study examined whether local public have adequate knowledge to identify mental health symptoms and the need to get timely professional help.
Methods
A population-based telephone surveys based on 4033 respondents aged 12 to 75 years were conducted in 2015 and 2018. Mental health knowledge and help seeking attitude were assessed using six vignettes depicting subtle and obvious symptoms of anxiety disorders, mixed anxiety and depressive disorders, and dementia. Logistic regression models were performed to examine association between mental health knowledge and help-seeking attitude.
Results
Poor knowledge in subtle symptoms are more likely to be males (t=-5.0, p<.001), younger (F=15.0, p<.001), have tertiary education (F= 15.0, p<.001), and employed (t=-2.1, p=.037). Binary logistic regression found that poor knowledge of subtle symptoms was associated with reluctance to professional help seeking.
Conclusions
Highly educated working males are less proficiently in identifying subtle mental health symptoms. Poorly identified subtle symptoms is a major barrier to early professional help. Future research should explore specific interventions to increase knowledge and professional help seeking in this group.
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