Psychosocial Correlates of Jordanian Adolescents’ Help-Seeking Intentions for Depression: Findings From a Nationally Representative School Survey

Sep 27, 2017The Journal of school nursing : the official publication of the National Association of School Nurses

Social and Psychological Factors Linked to Help-Seeking for Depression in Jordanian Teens

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Abstract

One fourth of Jordanian adolescents reported they would not seek professional help for depression.

Adolescents with higher average depression scores were less likely to seek professional help.
The most common sources of help identified were family members (57%), school counselors (46%), and psychiatrists (43%).
Lower stigma was associated with a greater likelihood of seeking psychotherapy or visiting a psychiatrist.
Higher stigma was linked to a greater likelihood of seeking help from school counselors or family members.
Jordanian adolescents face significant barriers to accessing professional mental health services.
School counselors were identified as a key resource for adolescents experiencing depression.

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Little is known about help-seeking for depression among Jordanian adolescents who are a vulnerable population with high rates of depressive symptoms and few mental health services. The purpose of this study was to (1) explore Jordanian adolescents' helpseeking intentions for depression and (2) examine whether depression stigma, depression severity, or their interaction are associated with Jordanian adolescents' willingness to seek help for depression and the type of treatment they would seek. In collaboration with the Jordanian Ministry of Education, we conducted a nationally representative, school-based survey of adolescents aged 12-17 years ( N = 2,349). One fourth of the adolescents reported they would not seek professional help for depression, and those respondents had higher average depression scores. Among those adolescents willing to seek help, the most likely sources included family member (57%), school counselor (46%), psychiatrist (43%), religious leader (39%), and general health practitioner (28%). Lower stigma scores were associated with greater likelihood to seek psychotherapy or visit a psychiatrist, while higher stigma scores were associated with increased likelihood to seek help from a school counselor or a family member. Jordanian adolescents experience significant barriers to seeking professional help for depression. However, even among adolescents with greater depression severity and depression stigma, school counselors were identified as a key resource for help. These findings suggest that school-based interventions may fill a critical service need for adolescents with depression and other mental health problems. School nurses should be leveraged along with counselors to address mental health issues in this vulnerable population.

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Psychosocial Correlates of Jordanian Adolescents’ Help-Seeking Intentions for Depression: Findings From a Nationally Representative School Survey

Abstract

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