Browsing by Author "Hathorn, Sarah Kate"

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    Help-seeking intention in an adult population with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD): predictors and barriers in South Africa
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2021-12) Hathorn, Sarah Kate; Lochner, Christine; Bantjes, Jason; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Psychology.
    Introduction: Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is associated with significantly impaired functioning, psychological distress, and reduced quality of life. Despite the availability of evidence-based treatments, a large percentage of individuals with OCD fail to seek help for their condition or delay help-seeking for many years. Although variables associated with OCD help-seeking have been identified internationally, patterns of help- seeking for OCD have not yet been described in South Africa, a developing country with many mental health service challenges. Aim: Using the health belief model (HBM) as a framework, the aims of this study were two-fold: first, to investigate whether HBM constructs significantly predict help-seeking intention among a group of South African adults with OCD, and second, to determine the most endorsed barriers to help-seeking for OCD in this sample. Methods: Fifty adult participants (n=50) with a lifetime primary diagnosis of OCD based on the Structured Clinical Interview for the DSM-5 (SCID-5) were recruited to participate. Participants subsequently completed a comprehensive online survey to assess the following HBM constructs: 1) socio-demographic characteristics, 2) OCD symptom severity, 3) treatment barriers, 4) perceived treatment benefits, 5) self-efficacy, and 6) help-seeking intention. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to establish whether HBM constructs significantly predict help-seeking intention. Descriptive statistics were calculated to determine the most endorsed barriers to help-seeking. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 27 was used to analyse the data. Results: The findings suggested that 42.6% of variance in help-seeking intention can be explained by the six HBM constructs (𝑅2 = 0.426, F(7,42) = 4.45 p<0.01). Of all predictor variables, perceived treatment benefits was the only significant predictor of help-seeking ntention (B=1.37, t(42= 5.16), p<0.01). In terms of help-seeking barriers, 36% of the sample endorsed wanting to handle the problem independently as a highly significant barrier, followed by concerns about treatment (endorsed by 26% of the sample), then affordability (22% of the sample), and finally embarrassment and shame factors (20% of the sample). Conclusion: This is the first study to investigate help-seeking patterns among South African adults with OCD. The results lend partial support for the utility of HBM constructs in predicting help-seeking intention, with perceived treatment benefits as the only significant predictor of help-seeking intention in this setting. Psychoeducation and mental health literacy programmes may be useful in increasing public appreciation of the benefits of OCD treatment, and to mitigate key help-seeking barriers. Studies with a qualitative angle, revealing a more in-depth understanding of the use of services from the patient’s perspective, would complement these findings.
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    Help-seeking intention in obsessive-compulsive disorder: predictors and barriers in South Africa
    (Frontiers Media S.A., 2021-09) Hathorn, Sarah Kate; Lochner, Christine; Stein, Dan J.; Bantjes, Jason
    Introduction: Many individuals with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) delay seeking help, leading to greater illness severity, additional comorbidity, and increased functional impairment. Patterns of help-seeking for OCD have however not yet been described in South Africa, a low-and middle-income country with many health service challenges. Using the health belief model as a conceptual framework, study aims were to identify predictors of and barriers to help-seeking among South Africans with OCD. Methods: Fifty adults with OCD completed an online survey to assess (1) socio-demographic characteristics, (2) OCD symptom severity, (3) treatment barriers, (4) perceived treatment benefits, (5) self-efficacy, and (6) help-seeking intention. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to establish predictors of help-seeking intention. Descriptive statistics were used to determine the most endorsed help-seeking barriers. Results: 42.6% of the variance in help-seeking intention was explained by the investigated constructs (R2 = 0.426, F = 4.45 and p < 0.01). Perceived treatment benefits were the only significant predictor of help-seeking intention (B = 1.37, t = 5.16, and p < 0.01). More than a third (36%) of the sample endorsed wanting to handle the problem independently as a significant barrier, followed by treatment concerns (26%), affordability (22%), and shame (20%). Conclusion: An innovative analysis of help-seeking patterns suggested that perceived treatment benefits were the only significant predictor of help-seeking intention among South African adults with OCD. Psychoeducation and mental health literacy programmes may be useful in increasing public appreciation of the benefits of OCD treatment, and in mitigating key help-seeking barriers.