Opoku Maxwell Peprah, Yusuf Rahemeen, Nur Shakila, Gyimah Ebenezer Mensah, Frimpomaa Lilian, Charalambous Eleana, Salem Yasmin A, Elkayal Mokhtar A, Abosrea Aisha A, Babiker Tawasol, Alblooshi Mahra Murad, September Erin, Obaid Nada, Miezah Daniel, Moustafa Ashraf
Department of Special and Gifted Education, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.
Department of Special and Gifted Education, United Arab Emirates University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
BMC Public Health. 2025 Aug 22;25(1):2887. doi: 10.1186/s12889-025-24247-1.
Mental health is increasingly recognized worldwide as a significant public health challenge. However, progress in developing interventions to address mental health burdens, particularly in non-Western countries, has been remarkably slow. This stagnation may be attributed to limited research on the underlying causes of mental health issues, such as trauma, as well as a lack of awareness regarding mental health disorders and help-seeking behaviours. The current study seeks to mainstream the understanding of mental health disorders by investigating the impact of trauma awareness and mental health disorders on the variance in help-seeking behaviours for mental health in non-Western contexts. This exploration aims to enhance the discourse on mental health initiatives and inform strategies for promoting mental health awareness and access to care in these regions.
A total of 2472 young adults (n = 1871) and adolescents (n = 601) were recruited from four countries (Bangladesh, n = 487; Egypt, n = 1070; Ghana, n = 695; and UAE, n = 217) to participate in this study. They completed three survey scales, namely, the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale, the Individual Trauma Identification and Management Scale and the Attitude toward Seeking Professional Psychological Help. Using the Statistical Package for Social Science version 29 and the Andrew Hayes PROCESS Model version 4.0, the data were subjected to hierarchical multiple regression, moderation and mediation analyses.
Both trauma and mental health disorders collectively served as predictors of access to mental health help-seeking behaviour. Furthermore, mental health help-seeking behaviour was identified as a mediating factor in the relationship between trauma and mental health disorders.
This study recommends the establishment of mental health and trauma awareness programs specifically aimed at young adults and adolescents across these four countries. Additionally, a comprehensive discussion of the study's implications is provided in detail.
心理健康在全球范围内日益被视为一项重大的公共卫生挑战。然而，在开发应对心理健康负担的干预措施方面，尤其是在非西方国家，进展极为缓慢。这种停滞可能归因于对心理健康问题潜在原因（如创伤）的研究有限，以及对心理健康障碍和求助行为的认识不足。本研究旨在通过调查创伤意识和心理健康障碍对非西方背景下心理健康求助行为差异的影响，使对心理健康障碍的理解成为主流。这一探索旨在加强关于心理健康倡议的讨论，并为促进这些地区的心理健康意识和获得护理的策略提供信息。
从四个国家（孟加拉国，n = 487；埃及，n = 1070；加纳，n = 695；阿联酋，n = 217）招募了总共2472名年轻人（n = 1871）和青少年（n = 601）参与本研究。他们完成了三个调查问卷量表，即抑郁、焦虑和压力量表、个体创伤识别与管理量表以及对寻求专业心理帮助的态度。使用社会科学统计软件包第29版和安德鲁·海斯PROCESS模型第4.0版，对数据进行了分层多元回归、调节和中介分析。
创伤和心理健康障碍共同作为获得心理健康求助行为的预测因素。此外，心理健康求助行为被确定为创伤与心理健康障碍之间关系的中介因素。
本研究建议在这四个国家专门针对年轻人和青少年建立心理健康和创伤意识项目。此外，还详细提供了对该研究影响的全面讨论。
