Depression with and without preceding life event: Differential recognition and professional help-seeking inclination in youth?

Abstract

Background: Low rates of professional help seeking for depression by youth is a well known global challenge. The study aimed at examining whether there might be differences in the rates of recognition of a hypothetical problem as a mental health problem when depressive symptoms are depicted as occurring in the context of a negative life event as compared to when these symptoms are depicted as occurring without any negative life event. The relationship between recognition as a mental health problem and help-seeking inclination from mental health professionals was also examined. Methods: Three hundred college youths within 18–25 years of age range formed the sample. Two vignettes describing moderate depression were used for all the participants. These two vignettes had identical content except that one of these mentioned a negative life event preceding the onset of depression. Each of these vignettes was followed by items to elicit recognition of the problem and inclination to seek help from mental health professionals if one was experiencing a similar problem. Results: Depressive symptoms arising in the context of a negative life event were less likely to be labeled as mental health problem and also less likely to be identified as depression. Accurate recognition of the problem as a mental health problem went hand in hand with significantly higher inclination to seek help from mental health professionals, but this was evident only in the vignette describing depressive symptoms without negative life event. Conclusion: The findings have implications for further research and for designing programs to improve help seeking for depression in Indian youth.