1Development of persuasive message to encourage help-seeking for depression. (2nd September 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Suka, Machi; Yamauchi, Takashi; Yanagisawa, Hiroyuki
• Is Part Of: International journal of epidemiology. Volume 50(2021)Supplement 1
• Publication Date: 2021-09-02
• Subjects: Epidemiology -- Periodicals; 614.4
• DOI: 10.1093/ije/dyab168.640
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0300-5771

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Delayed initial treatment contact for mental disorders is an important public health problem. The objective of this study was to develop persuasive messages to encourage help-seeking for depression. Methods: Firstly, we conducted a questionnaire survey among Japanese adults to understand the reasons why people avoid seeking professional help for depression (BMC Public Health 2016). Secondly, we created 6 depression help-seeking messages with 3 frames× 2 formats and assessed their effectiveness in eliciting help-seeking intentions for depression (BMJ Open 2018). Thirdly, we redesigned the loss-framed formatted message to make it more visually appealing and made a trial of repeated message exposure with the aim of sustaining the messaging effect over time. Results: Less than 40 % of survey participants reported a positive help-seeking intention for depression. The neutral-, loss-, and gain-framed messages were selected so as to be matched against the top 3 reasons for having no help-seeking intention, respectively. The loss-framed formatted message functioned better than the others; help-seeking intentions increased from 36% to 47% after the message exposure. Repeated message exposure increased the message retention rate (once 26% vs. twice 48% at 2-week follow-up) which enhanced the elicitation of help-seeking intentions. Conclusions: The depression help-seeking message can elicit the intent to do so among people who otherwise lack this. Key messages: The Step approach to Message Design and Testing is useful for developing public health messages and materials. Acknowledge: This work was supported by JSPS KAKENHI Grant Number JP25460815, JP16K09147 and the Uehara Memorial Foundation Research Grant.