The utility of the health belief model variables in predicting help-seeking intention for depressive symptoms
Abstract
Objective: Depressive disorders are prevalent and associated with significant burden. Although effective treatments exist, many individuals do not seek help. The current study aims to examine the barriers to help-seeking for depressive symptoms in an Australian sample, and to examine the utility of Health Belief Model (HBM) factors in predicting the likelihood of future help-seeking in relation to depressive disorders.Method: The study used a cross-sectional design. One hundred and eighty Australians aged over 18 completed the current study (Mage = 35.85; SD = 13.43; 76.1% female).Results: The most influential treatment barriers in this sample related to direct costs, indirect costs, and a belief that treatment from a psychologist was not needed. Regression analysis indicated that 49% of the variance in intention to seek help from a psychologist was associated with HBM variables. Level of perceived treatment benefit was the strongest predictor of help-seeking intention.Conclusion: In order to increase help-seeking for depressive disorders, public health campaigns must enhance perceptions about the benefits of psychological treatment and government policy and/or treatment providers must work to reduce the direct and indirect costs of psychological treatments within Australia.Key PointsWhat is already known about this topic:(1)Depressive disorders are prevalent conditions and are associated with significant burden.(2)While effective psychological treatments for depression exist…
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These findings are consistent with previous research suggesting that individuals who perceive higher levels of treatment benefits are more likely to seek help.
“These findings are consistent with previous research (Langley et al., 2018(Langley et al., , 2021) ) unsurprisingly suggesting that individuals who perceive higher levels of treatment benefits are more likely to seek help.”
From Treatment histories, barriers, and preferences for individuals with symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder (2024) · cites this paper as Langley et al., 2021
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References 44 · Cited by 13
- Authors
- Langley, E. L., Clark, G., Murray, C., & Wootton, B. M.
- Affiliations
- University of New England (AU)
- Newcastle University (GB)
- University of Technology Sydney (AU)
- Corresponding author
- Wootton, Bethany M.
- Venue
- Australian Psychologist
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2021-03-25
- Volume
- 56
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 233-244
- ISSN
- 0005-0067 (ISSN-L)
- 1742-9544
- OpenAlex
- W3141988642
- Cited by
- 13
- References
- 44
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 9 · 2024: 2
- FWCI
- 0.49
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Australian Psychologist (publishedVersion)
- OPUS - Open Publications of UTS Scholars (University of Technology Sydney) (submittedVersion)
- RUNE (Research UNE) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Mental Health Treatment and Access
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Suicide and Self-Harm Studies
- Keywords
- help-seeking intentions, depressive symptoms, Health Belief Model, barriers to treatment, perceived treatment benefit, perceived severity, perceived susceptibility, perceived barriers, perceived benefits
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