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Completed

NCT Number: NCT06621537

Mental Health Burden and Help-seeking Behavior in the Austrian General Population

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.

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Key information

Conditions

Screening Behavior Help-Seeking Behavior Social Behavior

Age range

14 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

Primary location

Sigmund Freud Univeristy Vienna

Vienna, 1020, Austria

About this study

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.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

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

Treatment and study plan

Primary outcomes

  1. General Help Seeking Behavior

    Time frame: Once in October 2024

    The General Help-Seeking Questionnaire (GHSQ) is a valdiated standardized tool to assess current intentions to seek help from different sources for different problems. The total score ranges from 10 to 70, with higher scores indicating a greater intention to seek help.

  2. Clincial Outcomes in Routine Evaluation

    Time frame: Once in October 2024

    The Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation - Outcome Measure (CORE-OM) is a common self-report measure of global distress with 34 items all answered on the same five level Likert-type scale asking about the respondents state over the last week. It was originally designed and developed in response to a research funding call from the UK Mental Health Foundation which required that the content must cover domains of well-being (4 items), problems (12 items), functioning (12 items) and risk (6 items). The total score ranges from 0 to 136 (sum of items), with higher scores indicating greater symptom/distress burden. Domain scores range from 0 to 16 (well-being), 0 to 48 (problems and functioning) and 0 to 24 (risk). In addition, means can be calculated by dividing the sum of the items by the number of items in the total score or in the respective domains.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Alcohol Abuse

    Time frame: Once in October 2024

    Symptoms of alcohol abuse will be assessed with a brief screening tool, the so-called CAGE questionnaire.

    The acronym stands for 4 yes/no items constituting the screening test:

    • Have you ever felt that you ought to Cut down on your drinking?
    • Have people Annoyed you by criticizing your drinking?
    • Have you ever felt bad or Guilty about your drinking?
    • Have you ever had a drink first thing in the morn ing to steady your nerves or to get rid of a hangover (Eye-opener)?

    The total score ranges from 0 to 4, with higher scores indicating a greater degree of problem drinking behaviour.

  2. Insomnia Symptoms

    Time frame: Once in October 2024

    Symptoms of sleeping disorders will be assessed with the brief version of the insomnia severity index (ISI-7). The total score ranges from 0 to 28, with higher scores indicating higher levels of sleep problems.

  3. Depressive Symptoms

    Time frame: Once in October 2024

    Symptoms of depression will be assessed with the 9 item version of the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). The total score ranges from 0 to 27, with higher scores indicating greater symptom burden.

  4. Symptoms of Anxiety

    Time frame: Once in October 2024

    Symptoms of anxiety will be assessed with the 7 item version of the general anxiety disorder scale (GAD-7). The total score ranges from 0 to 21, with higher scores indicating greater symptom burden.

  5. Self-stigma

    Time frame: Once in October 2024

    The construct of self-stigma as an important factor in people's decisions not to seek (psycho)therapeutic treatment is assessed using the 10-item Self-Stigma of Seeking Help (SSOSH) scale. The total score ranges from 10 to 50, with higher scores indicating higher levels of self-stigma.

  6. Free text questions on resources and burdens

    Time frame: Once in October 2024

    Two free text questions will elaborate on perceived burdens and resources following a previous study in the Austrian general population.

    • What is currently bothering you the most?
    • What helps you most to cope with your problems at the moment?

  7. Perceived Stress Level

    Time frame: Once in October 2024

    The perceived stress level will be assessed with the short version of the perceived stress scale comprising 4 items (PSS-4). The total score ranges from 0 to 16, with higher scores indicating greater symptom burden.

  8. Loneliness

    Time frame: Once in October 2024

    Perceived social isolation is assessed using the three-item loneliness scale (SOEP). The total score ranges from 0 to 12, with higher scores indicating greater social isolation.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Sigmund Freud PrivatUniversitat

Other

Collaborators

  • Danube University Krems

Registry information

Official study 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

Important dates

Study start
2024
Primary completion
2024
Study completion
2024
First posted
Oct 1, 2024
Registry last updated
Nov 8, 2024

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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