The Role of Maternal Perceptions and Ethnic Background in the Mental Health Help-Seeking Pathway of Adolescent Girls

I J E Flink,T M J Beirens,H Raat,D Butte

doi:10.1007/s10903-012-9621-7

I J E Flink, T M J Beirens + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-012-9621-7

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Abstract

Mothers play a crucial role in the help-seeking pathway of adolescents. This study examined how mothers with different ethnic backgrounds perceive the issue of help-seeking for internalizing problems (e.g. depression) in adolescent girls. Seven focus group discussions were conducted with 41 Dutch, Moroccan and Turkish mothers with a teenage daughter. Discussions were conceptually framed within a model of help-seeking and facilitated by a vignette. The internalizing problems sketched in the vignette were recognized as severe nonetheless; identified long term consequences varied per ethnic group. Negative attitudes towards General Practitioners, inaccessible mental health services and denial by daughters would hamper help-seeking. Fear of negative judgments/gossiping was considered a barrier by Turkish and Moroccan participants. Participants identified themselves and schools as primary sources of help. Turkish participants also named chaplains. To enhance utilization of mental health services by (minority) youth it is important to also address maternal barriers.

Highlights

Internalizing problems or problems that are mainly within the self like depression and anxiety [1] greatly affect adolescents
This study examined how mothers with different ethnic backgrounds perceive the issue of help-seeking for internalizing problems in adolescent girls
The aim of this study was to examine how mothers with different ethnic backgrounds perceive the issue of help-seeking for internalizing problems experienced by adolescent girls

Summary

Introduction

Internalizing problems or problems that are mainly within the self like depression and anxiety [1] greatly affect adolescents. A vast number of studies have shown that adolescent girls, and those from ethnic minority groups, are more at risk of developing internalizing problems than their male counterparts [4,5,6]. Detection and treatment of these problems in adolescent girls is of utter importance. Research has shown that parents play an important role in the help-seeking pathway of adolescents. In a review by Zwaanswijk et al [11] parental attitudes, beliefs, educational level and family stress were main determinants of adolescent help-seeking. Maternal perceptions may be important, as mothers are important figures in their lives. The aim of this study was to examine how mothers with different ethnic backgrounds perceive the issue of help-seeking for internalizing problems experienced by adolescent girls

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