Mental Health Burden and Help-seeking Behavior in the Austrian General Population: from Problem to Psychotherapy in Different Population Groups from a Psychotherapy Science Perspective
试验速览
- 阶段
- 不适用
- 状态
- 已完成
- 发起方
- 入组人数
- 2,025
- 试验地点
- 1
- 主要终点
- General Help Seeking Behavior
研究概览
简要总结
This study investigates the symptom burden and help-seeking behavior in the Austrian general population. Current research shows that mental health in Austria has significantly worsened since the COVID-19 pandemic. Lockdowns, social isolation, and uncertainty about the future have led to increased psychological stress, which has remained elevated even after restrictions were lifted. Vulnerable groups such as young people and individuals with a migration background were particularly affected, often experiencing additional stressors like language barriers, cultural differences, and financial strain. Migrant families frequently face more barriers to accessing mental health services, such as linguistic obstacles, lack of knowledge about the healthcare system, insufficient financial resources, stigmatization of mental illness, and cultural differences in understanding mental health. Research shows that migrants are less likely to seek professional help, instead relying on informal networks or alternative healing methods, leaving many untreated.
Therefore, this study aims to further explore these barriers and the differences in help-seeking behavior between individuals with and without migration backgrounds. A representative sample of the Austrian general population will complete validated questionnaires to assess symptom burden, help-seeking behavior, and self-stigmatization. The study findings will help identify obstacles to accessing psychotherapeutic care and provide insight into improving mental health services, particularly for vulnerable groups.
详细描述
The research project focuses on the mental health and help-seeking behaviors of the Austrian general population, with a particular interest in vulnerable groups like individuals with migration backgrounds.
The study employs a comprehensive approach by using an online survey targeting a representative sample of the Austrian general population. Key areas of focus include the symptom burden related to psychological disorders and help-seeking behaviors. The survey incorporates a range of standardised validated measurement tools, including: CORE-OM (to assess psychological well-being, symptoms, functionality, and risks), GHSQ (to evaluate help-seeking behavior), SSOSH (to measure self-stigmatization), PHQ-9 (to assess depressive symptoms), GAD-7 (to measure generalized anxiety disorder), ISI-7 (for insomnia severity), PSS-4 (for stress), CAGE (for alcohol misuse), SOEP (for loneliness), and open questions on stressors and resources.
This study will provide insights into the mental health challenges faced by the general population and identify specific barriers to accessing psychotherapeutic care among people with migration backgrounds. These findings will inform future interventions and support mechanisms for these groups. The recruitment process will involve a professional survey agency (Marketagent GmbH), which will ensure a representative sample, including participants aged 14 and above. Participants must have adequate German language skills and reside in Austria. The results will contribute to improving mental health services and addressing disparities in care access.
研究设计
- 研究类型
- Observational
- 观察模型
- Ecologic Or Community
- 时间视角
- Prospective
入排标准
- 年龄范围
- 14 Years 至 —（Child, Adult, Older Adult）
- 性别
- All
- 接受健康志愿者
- 是
入选标准
- •at least 14 years old
- •Internet access
- •sufficient German skills
- •residence in Austria
排除标准
- •younger than 14 years old
- •no access to the Internet
- •lack of German language skills
- •residence outside Austria
结局指标
主要结局
General Help Seeking Behavior
时间窗: Once in October 2024
The General Help-Seeking Questionnaire (GHSQ) is a valdiated standardized tool to assess current intentions to seek help from different sources for different problems. The total score ranges from 10 to 70, with higher scores indicating a greater intention to seek help.
Clincial Outcomes in Routine Evaluation
时间窗: Once in October 2024
The Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation - Outcome Measure (CORE-OM) is a common self-report measure of global distress with 34 items all answered on the same five level Likert-type scale asking about the respondents state over the last week. It was originally designed and developed in response to a research funding call from the UK Mental Health Foundation which required that the content must cover domains of well-being (4 items), problems (12 items), functioning (12 items) and risk (6 items). The total score ranges from 0 to 136 (sum of items), with higher scores indicating greater symptom/distress burden. Domain scores range from 0 to 16 (well-being), 0 to 48 (problems and functioning) and 0 to 24 (risk). In addition, means can be calculated by dividing the sum of the items by the number of items in the total score or in the respective domains.
次要结局
- Alcohol Abuse(Once in October 2024)
- Free text questions on resources and burdens(Once in October 2024)
- Insomnia Symptoms(Once in October 2024)
- Depressive Symptoms(Once in October 2024)
- Symptoms of Anxiety(Once in October 2024)
- Self-stigma(Once in October 2024)
- Perceived Stress Level(Once in October 2024)
- Loneliness(Once in October 2024)