The relationship stigma and depression with willingness to receive psychological services in older adults

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 PhD of rehabilitation counseling, Department of Counseling, Faculty of Behavioral Sciences, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran

2 . Assistant Professor, Aging Research Center, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran

3 Assistant Professor, Aging Research Center, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Background and Objective: It is very well-documented that mental health services and psychotherapy significantly contribute to maintain and improve older adults' mental health. However, there is evidence that older adults people have low willingness to receive mental health service. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship stigma and depression with willingness to receive professional psychological services in older adults.
Methods: The present descriptive-correlational study was conducted on a sample of 200 community-dwelling older men and women 60 years and over in Tehran in 2018. The multistage cluster sampling method was employed to obtain the sample. Geriatric Depression Questionnaire, Stigma Scale for Receiving Psychological Help and Attitudes toward Seeking Professional Psychological Help – Short Form were used for data collection. The SPSS software version 24 using multiple linear regression analysis was used in data analysis.
Results: Regarding receiving counseling services, data analysis showed that 88% of the older adults did not consult a counselor. This is despite the fact that half of the Older adults have a very good attitude towards counseling services. The results of multiple linear regression analysis showed that there is a significant negative relationship between depression and the willingness to receive psychological services, after controlling for demographic variables (p>0.001). Moreover, there was a significant negative relationship between stigma and the willingness to receive psychological services in both models with and without control of demographic variables (p>0.001).
Conclusions: It is imperative that psychologists, counselors, and geriatric professionals encourage older adults, particularly depressed older adults to use psychological services as an effective and useful method in improving their mental health.

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