How Black African and White British Women Perceive Depression and Help-Seeking: a Pilot Vignette Study

Abstract

Differing perceptions of depression among black and white women could help explain GPs' lower detection rates of depressive problems of black women. Differences in views about the formal help available may explain ethnic differences in help-seeking.

Illness perception, help-seeking attitudes, and knowledge related to obsessive–compulsive disorder across different ethnic groups: a community survey

“…It may also reflect a lack of knowledge about the illness. Interestingly, these same three dimensions also differed between White British and Black African women in an English study looking at how these minority groups perceived depression symptoms [19]. The authors concluded that these differences could help explain general practitioners' lower detection rates of depressive problems in Black African women.…”

“…The survey included a short vignette written by the authors representing a hypothetical case of a 12-year-old girl suffering from OCD symptoms (see vignette in Supplemental Material). The vignette methodology has been previously used in similar studies [19,23] and found to be very helpful in obtaining responses which resemble real-life situations.…”

“…Therefore, the authors concluded that differences in illness beliefs and treatment preferences may not fully explain the large, persistent ethnic disparities in mental health care and that other crucial barriers to quality care exist [18]. By contrast, other research conducted in the UK revealed different illness perceptions of depression between Black African and White British women, and it was suggested that illness perceptions could help explain the lower detection rates of depression in ethnic minority groups [19].…”

Can a self-referral system help improve access to psychological treatments?

“…However, some ethnic groups are less likely to consult their GPs, as occurs with Africans 39 and Asians. 40 Even when people do attend their GP, detection rates for mental health problems are lower in ethnic minority groups.…”

“…A recent study of the attitudes of black African women in London who had suffered depression found that they thought depression was less serious, more short-lasting and less amenable to treatment compared with white British women. 39 The ways in which people describe their problems also differ between cultures. For example, it is common for people from South Asia to express their problems as aches, pains, and sleep problems.…”