Sociodemographic factors associated with treatment-seeking and treatment receipt: cross-sectional analysis of UK Biobank participants with lifetime generalised anxiety or major depressive disorder. Issue 6 (19th November 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rayner, Christopher; Coleman, Jonathan R. I.; Purves, Kirstin L.; Carr, Ewan; Cheesman, Rosa; Davies, Molly R.; Delgadillo, Jaime; Hübel, Christopher; Krebs, Georgina; Peel, Alicia J.; Skelton, Megan; Breen, Gerome; Eley, Thalia C.
• Is Part Of: BJPsych open. Volume 7:Issue 6(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-11-19
• Subjects: Anxiety disorders -- depressive disorders -- primary care -- patients -- epidemiology; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; Mental health -- Periodicals; 616.89005
• DOI: 10.1192/bjo.2021.1012
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2056-4724

Abstract

Abstract : Background: Anxiety and depressive disorders can be chronic and disabling. Although there are effective treatments, only a fraction of those impaired receive treatment. Predictors of treatment-seeking and treatment receipt could be informative for initiatives aiming to tackle the burden of untreated anxiety and depression. Aims: To investigate sociodemographic characteristics associated with treatment-seeking and treatment receipt. Method: Two binary retrospective reports of lifetime treatment-seeking ( n = 44 810) and treatment receipt ( n = 37 346) were regressed on sociodemographic factors (age, gender, UK ethnic minority background, educational attainment, household income, neighbourhood deprivation and social isolation) and alternative coping strategies (self-medication with alcohol/drugs and self-help) in UK Biobank participants with lifetime generalised anxiety or major depressive disorder. Analyses were also stratified by gender. Results: Treatment access was more likely in those who reported use of self-help strategies, with university-level education and those from less economically advantaged circumstances (household income <£30 000 and greater neighbourhood deprivation). Treatment access was less likely in those who were male, from a UK ethnic minority background and with high household incomes (>£100 000). Men who self-medicated and/or had a vocational qualification were also less likely to seek treatment. Conclusions: This work on retrospective reports of treatment-seeking and treatment receipt at any time of life replicates known associations with treatment-seeking and treatment receipt during time of treatment need. More work is required to understand whether improving rates of treatment-seeking improves prognostic outcomes for individuals with anxiety or depression.