Cited by 294Mental Health Treatment and AccessPosttraumatic Stress Disorder ResearchMigration, Health and Trauma

Perceived barriers and facilitators of mental health service utilization in adult trauma survivors: A systematic review

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Kantor, Viktoria, Knefel, Matthias, Lueger-Schuster, Brigitte·2017·Clinical Psychology Review

Abstract

Many trauma survivors seem to be reluctant to seek professional help. The aim of the current review was to synthesize relevant literature, and to systematically classify trauma survivors' perceived barriers and facilitators regarding mental health service utilization. The systematic search identified 19 studies addressing military personnel and 17 studies with trauma survivors of the general population. The data analysis revealed that the most prominent barriers included concerns related to stigma, shame and rejection, low mental health literacy, lack of knowledge and treatment-related doubts, fear of negative social consequences, limited resources, time, and expenses. Perceived facilitators lack attention in research, but can be influential in understanding mental health service use. Another prominent finding was that trauma survivors face specific trauma-related barriers to mental health service use, especially concerns about re-experiencing the traumatic events. Many trauma survivors avoid traumatic reminders and are therefore concerned about dealing with certain memories in treatment. These perceived barriers and facilitators were discussed regarding future research and practical implications in order to facilitate mental health service use among trauma survivors.

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Authors
Kantor, V., Knefel, M., & Lueger-Schuster, B.
Affiliations
University of Vienna (AT)
Corresponding author
Kantor, Viktoria
Venue
Clinical Psychology Review
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2017-03
Volume
52
Pages
52-68
ISSN
0272-7358 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2560518899
Cited by
294
References
113
Citations by year
2026: 26 · 2025: 47 · 2024: 33 · 2023: 33 · 2022: 47 · 2021: 30 · 2020: 34 · 2019: 21 · 2018: 13 · 2017: 10
FWCI
2.28
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Clinical Psychology Review (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
Austrian Science Fund (P26584)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Mental Health Treatment and Access
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Migration, Health and Trauma
Keywords
mental health service utilization, trauma survivors, help-seeking barriers, help-seeking facilitators, mental health stigma, shame, mental health literacy, military personnel, help-seeking reluctance
MeSH terms
Health Services Accessibility, Humans, Mental Health Services, Military Personnel, Patient Acceptance of Health Care, Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic, Survivors, Social Stigma

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