Hussain S, Tse J H C, Wong P W C, Cheung M M Y, Chan R N Y, Wing Y K, Chau S W H
Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
Department of Social Work and Social Administration, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
East Asian Arch Psychiatry. 2025 Mar;35(1):21-27. doi: 10.12809/eaap2467.
This study aimed to determine the mental health status and help-seeking barriers and to identify predictors of help-seeking barriers among South Asians in Hong Kong at the end of the COVID-19 pandemic.
This cross-sectional study was conducted between January and August 2023. Using convenience sampling, South and Southeast Asian Hong Kong residents aged ≥18 years were invited to complete an online questionnaire in English. Anxiety in the prior 2 weeks was assessed using the Generalised Anxiety Disorder-7. Depression in the prior 2 weeks was assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9. Insomnia in the prior 2 weeks was assessed using the Insomnia Severity Index. Perceived barriers to help-seeking were measured using eight statements; responses were either 'agree' or 'disagree'. Additionally, quality of life and quality of health were assessed using a visual analogue scale ranging from 0 to 100.
Of 474 respondents, 273 were verified to be South or Southeast Asians and were included in the analysis. Of these, 13.6%, 22.8%, and 12.1% were at risk of developing anxiety, depression, and insomnia, respectively. Self-report quality of life and quality of health scores were 70.3 and 67.9, respectively. Compared with those not at risk, those at risk of developing mental health disorders (anxiety, depression, or insomnia) were younger (34.0 vs 29.6 years, p = 0.003), not married (27.7% vs 43.6%, p = 0.02), and had lower quality of life score (77.3 vs 52.6, p < 0.001) and quality of health score (75.4 vs 49.1, p < 0.001). They also more frequently reported having cultural/language barriers (50.2% vs 70.5%, p = 0.004), having cost concerns (64.1% vs 80.8%, p = 0.011), being too busy to seek help (41.5% vs 66.7%, p < 0.001), and that their family considered having mental health disorders to be shameful (25.1% vs 51.3%, p < 0.001). The predictors of perceived barriers to help-seeking were full-time employment (p = 0.02), having a lower education level (p = 0.02), and being at risk of developing mental health disorders (p = 0.02).
Among South Asians in Hong Kong, those who were younger and not married were more likely to be at risk of developing mental health disorders, whereas males, full-time workers, those with a lower education level, and those at risk of developing mental health disorders were more likely to report having help-seeking barriers. The predictors of perceived barriers to help-seeking were full-time employment, a lower education level, and being at risk of developing mental health disorders.
本研究旨在确定新冠疫情结束时香港南亚裔人士的心理健康状况及寻求帮助的障碍，并找出寻求帮助障碍的预测因素。
本横断面研究于2023年1月至8月进行。采用便利抽样法，邀请年龄≥18岁的南亚和东南亚裔香港居民用英语完成一份在线问卷。使用广泛性焦虑障碍量表-7评估前两周的焦虑情况。使用患者健康问卷-9评估前两周的抑郁情况。使用失眠严重程度指数评估前两周的失眠情况。使用八项陈述测量寻求帮助的感知障碍；回答为“同意”或“不同意”。此外，使用0至100的视觉模拟量表评估生活质量和健康质量。
在474名受访者中，273人被确认为南亚或东南亚裔并纳入分析。其中，分别有13.6%、22.8%和12.1%有焦虑、抑郁和失眠风险。自我报告的生活质量和健康质量得分分别为70.3和67.9。与无风险者相比，有心理健康障碍（焦虑、抑郁或失眠）风险的人更年轻（34.0岁对29.6岁，p = 0.003），未婚（27.7%对43.6%，p = 0.02），生活质量得分较低（77.3对52.6，p < 0.001），健康质量得分较低（75.4对49.1，p < 0.001）。他们也更频繁地报告有文化/语言障碍（50.2%对70.5%，p = 0.004）、担心费用（64.1%对80.8%，p = 0.011）、太忙而无法寻求帮助（41.5%对66.7%，p < 0.001），以及他们的家人认为有心理健康障碍是可耻的（25.1%对51.3%，p < 0.001）。寻求帮助感知障碍的预测因素是全职工作（p = 0.02）、教育水平较低（p = 0.02）和有心理健康障碍风险（p = 0.02）。
在香港的南亚裔人士中，年龄较小和未婚者更有可能有心理健康障碍风险，而男性、全职工作者、教育水平较低者以及有心理健康障碍风险者更有可能报告有寻求帮助的障碍。寻求帮助感知障碍的预测因素是全职工作、教育水平较低和有心理健康障碍风险。
