title: Determinants of help-seeking behavior in depression: a cross-sectional study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although evidence-based and effective treatments are available for people with depression, a substantial number does not seek or receive help. Therefore, it is important to gain a better understanding of the reasons why people do or do not seek help. This study examined what predisposing and need factors are associated with help-seeking among people with major depression.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study was conducted in 102 subjects with major depression. Respondents were recruited from the general population in collaboration with three Municipal Health Services (GGD) across different regions in the Netherlands. Inclusion criteria were: being aged 18 years or older, a high score on a screening instrument for depression (K10 > 20), and a diagnosis of major depression established through the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI 2.1).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the total sample, 65 % (n = 66) had received help in the past six months. Results showed that respondents with a longer duration of symptoms and those with lower personal stigma were more likely to seek help. Other determinants were not significantly related to help-seeking.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Longer duration of symptoms was found to be an important determinant of help-seeking among people with depression. It is concerning that stigma was related to less help-seeking. Knowledge and understanding of depression should be promoted in society, hopefully leading to reduced stigma and increased help-seeking.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical, Neuro, and Developmental Psychology, Section Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Behavioural and Movement Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, van der Boechorststraat 1, 1081 BT, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. a.m.boerema@vu.nl.|EMGO Institute for Health Care and Research, VU University Medical Centre, van der Boechorststraat 7, 1081 BT, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. a.m.boerema@vu.nl.
authors.forename: Anke M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Boerema
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical, Neuro, and Developmental Psychology, Section Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Behavioural and Movement Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, van der Boechorststraat 1, 1081 BT, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.|EMGO Institute for Health Care and Research, VU University Medical Centre, van der Boechorststraat 7, 1081 BT, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Annet
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kleiboer
authors.affiliation: EMGO Institute for Health Care and Research, VU University Medical Centre, van der Boechorststraat 7, 1081 BT, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.|Department of Psychiatry, VU University Medical Centre, van der Boechorststraat 7, 1081 BT, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Aartjan T F
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Beekman
authors.affiliation: Statistics Netherlands (CBS), Henri Faasdreef 312, 2492 JT, Den Haag, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Kim
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: van Zoonen
authors.affiliation: GGD Amsterdam, Nieuwe Achtergracht 100, 1018 WT, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Henriëtte
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Dijkshoorn
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical, Neuro, and Developmental Psychology, Section Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Behavioural and Movement Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, van der Boechorststraat 1, 1081 BT, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.|EMGO Institute for Health Care and Research, VU University Medical Centre, van der Boechorststraat 7, 1081 BT, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Pim
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cuijpers
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D000066505:Help-Seeking Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D057545:Social Stigma; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Depression; Duration of symptoms; Help-seeking; Stigma