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Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology

Erschienen in:

14.02.2023 | Original Paper

Treatment delays for mental disorders in Singapore: results from the Singapore Mental Health Study 2016

verfasst von: Rachel Hsiao Shen Tan, Yen Sin Koh, Janhavi Ajit Vaingankar, Edimansyah Abdin, Rajeswari Sambasivam, Siow Ann Chong, Mythily Subramaniam

Erschienen in: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology | Ausgabe 2/2024

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Abstract

Purpose

Although the trajectory of mental disorders can be improved with timely treatment, many people defer treatment-seeking. This study aimed to examine the prevalence and correlates of treatment delays for mental disorders in Singapore, as well as perceived effectiveness of treatment received.

Methods

A total of 6126 respondents, aged 18 and above, participated in the Singapore Mental Health Study 2016—a cross-sectional, nationwide study conducted in Singapore from 2016 to 2018. Lifetime treatment contact for mood, anxiety, and alcohol use disorders (AUD) was assessed using the World Mental Health-Composite International Diagnostic Interview (Version 3.0). Multivariable logistic regression was conducted to examine correlates of delayed treatment.

Results

A total of 137 participants had made lifetime treatment contact for a mental disorder. The proportion of respondents who received delayed treatment (i.e., at least one year after onset of disorder) was 60.8% for any disorder, 59.5% for mood disorders, 56.3% for anxiety disorders, and 92.7% for AUD. The median delay was 5 years for mood disorders, one year for anxiety disorders, and 4 years for AUD. Treatment delay was significantly associated with older age, higher educational qualification, lifetime AUD, and earlier age of onset of disorder. 58.4% of respondents with lifetime treatment contact had received treatment that they considered effective.

Conclusion

The high prevalence and long durations of treatment delay underscore the need to encourage help-seeking for mental disorders, especially since treatment is generally perceived to be helpful. Our findings also highlight several population groups more susceptible to receiving delayed treatment.

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Titel: Treatment delays for mental disorders in Singapore: results from the Singapore Mental Health Study 2016
verfasst von: Rachel Hsiao Shen Tan
Yen Sin Koh
Janhavi Ajit Vaingankar
Edimansyah Abdin
Rajeswari Sambasivam
Siow Ann Chong
Mythily Subramaniam
Publikationsdatum: 14.02.2023
Verlag: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Erschienen in: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology / Ausgabe 2/2024
Print ISSN: 0933-7954
Elektronische ISSN: 1433-9285
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-023-02440-0

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Treatment delays for mental disorders in Singapore: results from the Singapore Mental Health Study 2016