TY - JOUR
PY - 2020//
TI - Conceptualizations of help-seeking for mental health concerns in First Nations communities in Canada: A comparison of fit with the Andersen Behavioral Model
JO - Transcultural psychiatry
A1 - Isaak, Corinne A.
A1 - Mota, Natalie
A1 - Medved, Maria
A1 - Katz, Laurence Y.
A1 - Elias, Brenda
A1 - Mignone, Javier
A1 - Munro, Gary
A1 - Sareen, Jitender
SP - 346
EP - 362
VL - 57
IS - 2
N2 - This qualitative study explored the fit between on-reserve First Nations community members' conceptualizations of help-seeking for mental health concerns and the Andersen Behavioral Model of Health Services Use. Youth, adults and elders (Nā=ā115) living and or working in eight distinct First Nations communities within a tribal council area in Canada participated in focus groups or individual interviews that were transcribed, coded and then analyzed using a thematic analysis approach informed by grounded theory methodology. Resulting themes were then mapped onto the Andersen Behavioral Model of Health Services Use. Participants' conceptualizations of predisposing characteristics including social structures, health beliefs and mental illness, enabling and impeding resources had a high degree of fit with the model. While perspectives on perceived need for mental health care, and spirituality as a health and lifestyle practice had only moderate fit with the model, these domains could be modified to fit First Nations' interpretations of help-seeking. Participants' perceptions of avoidant strategies and non-use of mental health services, however did not map onto the model. These findings suggest conceptualizations of help-seeking for mental health issues in these First Nations communities are only partially characterized by the Andersen Behavioral Model, suggesting there are a number of considerations to Indigenize the model.
FINDINGS also highlight potential explanations for why some members of this population may not access or receive appropriate mental health treatment. Multi-pronged efforts are warranted to link culturally normed pathways of help-seeking with effective mental health supports for First Nations community members in Canada.
Language: en
LA - en SN - 1363-4615 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1363461520906978 ID - ref1 ER -