Help-seeking preferences for psychological distress in primary care: effect of current mental state
Open accessAbstract
BACKGROUND: There is much debate over when it is appropriate to intervene medically for psychological distress, and limited evidence on patients' perspectives about a broad range of possible treatment options. It is currently unclear whether preferences may differ for those patients with milder symptoms compared to those experiencing more severe distress. AIM: To determine patient preferences for professional, informal, and alternative help for psychological distress in primary care, and the impact of their current mental state on these. DESIGN OF STUDY: Cross-sectional survey in seven general practices across suburban/urban London. METHOD: Participants were 1357 consecutive general practice attenders aged 18 years and over. The main outcome measure was the General Health Questionnaire 12-item version and a questionnaire on help-seeking preferences. RESULTS: Overall, only 47% of participants reported wanting 'some help' if feeling stressed, worried, or low and it was affecting their daily life. Those currently experiencing mild-to-moderate distress preferred informal sources of help such as friends/family support, relaxation/yoga, exercise/sport, or massage along with general advice from their GP and talking therapies. Self-help (books/leaflets or computer/internet) was not popular at any level of distress, and less favoured by those with mild-to-moderate distress (odds ratio [OR] = 0.50; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.35 to 0.70). Those experiencing severe distress were much more likely to want talking therapies (OR = 3.43, 95% CI = 2.85 to 4.14), tablets (OR = 3.07, 95% CI = 2.00 to 4.71), and support groups (OR = 3.07, 95% CI = 1.72 to 5.47). CONCLUSION: People with mild-to-moderate distress appear to prefer informal sources of help and those involving human contact, compared to medication or self-help. This has implications for the implementation of potential interventions for psychological distress in primary care.
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- Authors
- Walters, K., Buszewicz, M., Weich, S., & King, M.
- Affiliations
- University College London (GB)
- University of Warwick (GB)
- Venue
- British Journal of General Practice
- Published
- 2008-10-01
- Volume
- 58
- Issue
- 555
- Pages
- 694-698
- ISSN
- 0960-1643 (ISSN-L)
- 1478-5242
- PMC
- PMC2553529
- OpenAlex
- W1994831636
- Cited by
- 56
- References
- 10
- Citations by year
- 2026: 3 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 3 · 2020: 1 · 2019: 1 · 2018: 4 · 2017: 3 · 2016: 3 · 2015: 2 · 2014: 4 · 2013: 4 · 2012: 2
- FWCI
- 4.91
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- bronze
- doi.org
- Locations
- British Journal of General Practice (publishedVersion)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- UCL Discovery (University College London) (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- Medical Research Council
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Mental Health Treatment and Access
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Digital Mental Health Interventions
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychiatric care and mental health services
- Keywords
- help-seeking preferences, psychological distress, primary care, patient preferences, informal support, psychotherapy, self-help, antidepressants, support groups, General Health Questionnaire
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Mental Disorders, Cross-Sectional Studies, Family Practice, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Patient Acceptance of Health Care, Surveys and Questionnaires, Severity of Illness Index, Multivariate Analysis, Logistic Models
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