Going global: do consumer preferences, attitudes, and barriers to using e-mental health services differ across countries?

Background: e-Mental health services have the capacity to overcome barriers to care and reduce the unmet need for psychological services, particularly in developing countries. However, it is unknown how acceptable e-mental health interventions may be to these populations. Aims: The purpose of the cu...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of mental health (Abingdon, England) England), 2019-01, Vol.28 (1), p.17-25
Main Authors: Clough, Bonnie A., Zarean, Mostafa, Ruane, Ilse, Mateo, Niño Jose, Aliyeva, Turana A., Casey, Leanne M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
attitudes
Barriers
barriers to care
Consumer attitudes
cross-cultural
Developing countries
e-Mental health
Health behavior
Health services
Internet interventions
LDCs
Mental health
Mental health services
Psychological services
Willingness
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Summary:Background: e-Mental health services have the capacity to overcome barriers to care and reduce the unmet need for psychological services, particularly in developing countries. However, it is unknown how acceptable e-mental health interventions may be to these populations. Aims: The purpose of the current study was to examine consumer attitudes and perceived barriers to e-mental health usage across four countries: Australia, Iran, the Philippines and South Africa. Methods: An online survey was completed by 524 adults living in these countries, assessing previous contact with e-mental health services, willingness to use e-mental health services, and perceived barriers and needs for accessing e-mental health services. Results: Although previous contact with e-mental health services was low, the majority of respondents in each sample reported a willingness to try e-mental health services if offered. Barriers toward e-mental health usage were higher among the developing countries than Australia. The most commonly endorsed barriers concerned needing information and assurances regarding the programmes. Conclusions: Across countries, participants indicated a willingness to use e-mental health programmes if offered. With appropriate research and careful implementation, e-mental health has the potential to be a valuable part of mental healthcare in developing countries.
ISSN:0963-8237
1360-0567
DOI:10.1080/09638237.2017.1370639