Clinical trial NCT06621537: Mental Health Burden and Help-seeking Behavior in the Austrian General Population
Official title: Mental Health Burden and Help-seeking Behavior in the Austrian General Population: from Problem to Psychotherapy in Different Population Groups from a Psychotherapy Science Perspective
Study type: OBSERVATIONAL
Overall status: COMPLETED
Conditions: Screening
Keywords: general population
Austria
help-seeking behavior
symptom burden
Lead sponsor: Sigmund Freud PrivatUniversitat
Sponsor class: OTHER
Collaborators: name: Danube University Krems
First posted: 2024-10-01
Enrollment: 2025
Sex: ALL
Minimum age (years): 14
Standard ages: CHILD
ADULT
OLDER_ADULT
Accepts healthy volunteers: yes
Observational model: ECOLOGIC_OR_COMMUNITY
Time perspective: PROSPECTIVE
Sampling method: NON_PROBABILITY_SAMPLE
Study population: representative sample of the Austrian general population according to age, gender, age x gender, region and education level

Brief summary: This study investigates the symptom burden and help-seeking behavior in the Austrian general population. Current research shows that mental health in Austria has significantly worsened since the COVID-19 pandemic. Lockdowns, social isolation, and uncertainty about the future have led to increased psychological stress, which has remained elevated even after restrictions were lifted. Vulnerable groups such as young people and individuals with a migration background were particularly affected, often experiencing additional stressors like language barriers, cultural differences, and financial strain. Migrant families frequently face more barriers to accessing mental health services, such as linguistic obstacles, lack of knowledge about the healthcare system, insufficient financial resources, stigmatization of mental illness, and cultural differences in understanding mental health. Research shows that migrants are less likely to seek professional help, instead relying on informal networks or alternative healing methods, leaving many untreated.

Therefore, this study aims to further explore these barriers and the differences in help-seeking behavior between individuals with and without migration backgrounds. A representative sample of the Austrian general population will complete validated questionnaires to assess symptom burden, help-seeking behavior, and self-stigmatization. The study findings will help identify obstacles to accessing psychotherapeutic care and provide insight into improving mental health services, particularly for vulnerable groups.

Detailed description: The research project focuses on the mental health and help-seeking behaviors of the Austrian general population, with a particular interest in vulnerable groups like individuals with migration backgrounds.

The study employs a comprehensive approach by using an online survey targeting a representative sample of the Austrian general population. Key areas of focus include the symptom burden related to psychological disorders and help-seeking behaviors. The survey incorporates a range of standardised validated measurement tools, including: CORE-OM (to assess psychological well-being, symptoms, functionality, and risks), GHSQ (to evaluate help-seeking behavior), SSOSH (to measure self-stigmatization), PHQ-9 (to assess depressive symptoms), GAD-7 (to measure generalized anxiety disorder), ISI-7 (for insomnia severity), PSS-4 (for stress), CAGE (for alcohol misuse), SOEP (for loneliness), and open questions on stressors and resources.

This study will provide insights into the mental health challenges faced by the general population and identify specific barriers to accessing psychotherapeutic care among people with migration backgrounds. These findings will inform future interventions and support mechanisms for these groups. The recruitment process will involve a professional survey agency (Marketagent GmbH), which will ensure a representative sample, including participants aged 14 and above. Participants must have adequate German language skills and reside in Austria. The results will contribute to improving mental health services and addressing disparities in care access.

Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

* at least 14 years old
* Internet access
* sufficient German skills
* residence in Austria

Exclusion Criteria:

* younger than 14 years old
* no access to the Internet
* lack of German language skills
* residence outside Austria

Primary outcomes:
measure: General Help Seeking Behavior
timeFrame: Once in October 2024
measure: Clincial Outcomes in Routine Evaluation
timeFrame: Once in October 2024
Secondary outcomes:
measure: Alcohol Abuse
timeFrame: Once in October 2024
measure: Insomnia Symptoms
timeFrame: Once in October 2024
measure: Depressive Symptoms
timeFrame: Once in October 2024
measure: Symptoms of Anxiety
timeFrame: Once in October 2024
measure: Self-stigma
timeFrame: Once in October 2024
measure: Free text questions on resources and burdens
timeFrame: Once in October 2024
measure: Perceived Stress Level
timeFrame: Once in October 2024
measure: Loneliness
timeFrame: Once in October 2024
Other outcomes:
Locations:
city: Vienna
country: Austria
facility: Sigmund Freud Univeristy Vienna
Study officials:
References:
citation: Wilson, C. J., Deane, F. P., Ciarrochi, J., and Rickwood, D. (2005). Measuring Help-Seeking Intentions: Properties of the General Help-Seeking Questionnaire. Canadian Journal of Counselling, 39(1), 15-28.
citation: Vogel, D. L., Wade, N. G., and Haake, S. (2006). Measuring the self-stigma associated with seeking psychological help. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 53(3), 325-337. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-0167.53.3.325
citation: Spitzer RL, Kroenke K, Williams JB, Lowe B. A brief measure for assessing generalized anxiety disorder: the GAD-7. Arch Intern Med. 2006 May 22;166(10):1092-7. doi: 10.1001/archinte.166.10.1092.
citation: Schaffler Y, Gachter A, Dale R, Jesser A, Probst T, Pieh C. Concerns and Support after One Year of COVID-19 in Austria: A Qualitative Study Using Content Analysis with 1505 Participants. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 Aug 3;18(15):8218. doi: 10.3390/ijerph18158218.
citation: Reinwarth AC, Ernst M, Krakau L, Brahler E, Beutel ME. Screening for loneliness in representative population samples: Validation of a single-item measure. PLoS One. 2023 Mar 16;18(3):e0279701. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0279701. eCollection 2023.
citation: Kroenke K, Spitzer RL, Williams JB. The PHQ-9: validity of a brief depression severity measure. J Gen Intern Med. 2001 Sep;16(9):606-13. doi: 10.1046/j.1525-1497.2001.016009606.x.
citation: Kraepelien M, Blom K, Forsell E, Hentati Isacsson N, Bjurner P, Morin CM, Jernelov S, Kaldo V. A very brief self-report scale for measuring insomnia severity using two items from the Insomnia Severity Index - development and validation in a clinical population. Sleep Med. 2021 May;81:365-374. doi: 10.1016/j.sleep.2021.03.003. Epub 2021 Mar 16.
citation: Evans C, Connell J, Barkham M, Margison F, McGrath G, Mellor-Clark J, Audin K. Towards a standardised brief outcome measure: psychometric properties and utility of the CORE-OM. Br J Psychiatry. 2002 Jan;180:51-60. doi: 10.1192/bjp.180.1.51.
citation: Dhalla S, Kopec JA. The CAGE questionnaire for alcohol misuse: a review of reliability and validity studies. Clin Invest Med. 2007;30(1):33-41. doi: 10.25011/cim.v30i1.447.
citation: Cohen S, Kamarck T, Mermelstein R. A global measure of perceived stress. J Health Soc Behav. 1983 Dec;24(4):385-96. No abstract available.