[Psychotherapy service utilization and psychotherapy motivation in a representative community sample of the elderly -- results of the zurich older age study].
OBJECTIVE
To study the extent of real and potential psychotherapy service utilization in the older (65 - 96) population.


METHODS
We used the Zurich Older Age Study on PTSD, complicated grief and depressive disorders which consists of a random sample of 712 older adults based on a two-stage screening design. Utilization of psychotherapy was assessed by a checklist on service utilization for psychological problems/disorders. Potential psychotherapy motivation was assessed by means of a validated Questionnaire on Psychotherapy Motivation (FPTM-23).


RESULTS
Around 5 % indicated to have used psychotherapy since age 65 (either alone or in combination with pharmacological treatment) and 10 % of participants indicated use of any therapeutic treatment for psychological problems with women twice as frequent as men. Potential psychotherapy motivation was medium highly pronounced and varied only slightly between the sexes. Predictors of high psychotherapy motivation are the extent of suffering as well as the absence of rejection of psychological need for assistance.


CONCLUSIONS
The frequency numbers of psychotherapy service utilization and motivation indicate their moderate extents in old age. Limitations of the study are discussed, e. g., the possibly higher density of service providers in an urban population like the city of Zurich.
Maercker
Andreas
A
Klinische Psychologie und Psychotherapie, FB I Psychologie, Universität Trier. a.maercker@uni-trier.de
Enzler
Anuschka
A
Grimm
Geneviève
G
Helfenstein
Esther
E
Ehlert
Ulrike
U
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D006295:Health Resources / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013557:Switzerland / Q000453:epidemiology