Impact of integrated care and co-location of care on mental help-seeking perceptions. (4th July 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hammer, Joseph H.; Perrin, Paul B.; Spiker, Douglas A.
• Is Part Of: Journal of mental health. Volume 30:Number 4(2021)
• Page Start: 405
• Page End: 410
• Publication Date: 2021-07-04
• Subjects: Help seeking -- integrated care -- attitudes -- intention -- treatment utilization -- health care services -- co-located care; Mental health -- Periodicals; Mental health services -- Periodicals; 362.2
• DOI: 10.1080/09638237.2019.1581334
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0963-8237

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Integrated care may offer a solution to subpar mental health referral adherence, but people's openness to receiving psychological treatment in this setting is understudied. Aims: The present study examined the influence of the integrated care context and co-location of care on people's help-seeking perceptions. Method: This study ( N = 397) used an experimental vignette design to compare the impact of treatment type (integrated care vs. traditional psychotherapy) and distance (close vs. far) on help-seeking perceptions. Results: The integrated care environment (significant effect on perceived behavioral control) and closer proximity of the psychologist (significant effect on intention, attitudes, perceived effectiveness of treatment, self-stigma) only improved help-seeking perceptions among those with prior experience with mental health treatment. In the overall sample, treatment type and distance only demonstrated an effect among women, but not men. Conclusions: Pending replication with samples from diverse populations, these findings provide a cautionary tale about lay perceptions of integrated care's anticipated utility. However, co-location and, to a lesser degree, the common attributes of the integrated care format (e.g. team approach, flexible scheduling) may represent a potential pathway for reducing resistance to help seeking that can accompany traditional psychotherapy referrals among those with past exposure to behavioral healthcare.