Religion, health beliefs and the use of mental health services by the elderly

Ng, Tze Pin; Nyunt, Ma Shwe Zin; Chiam, Peak Chiang; Kua, Ee Heok

doi:10.1080/13607863.2010.508771

Cited by 32 publications

(28 citation statements)

References 29 publications

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“…Kim-Goh interviewed 50 Korean clergymen with an average duration in ministry of more than 20 years and found that nearly half of them (44%) have never made a referral to a mental health service provider and those with religious conceptualization of psychiatric symptoms are less willing to make referrals for mental health treatment than those with a psychological conceptualization (Kim-Goh, 1993). Also, Ng, Nyunt, Chiam, and Kua (2011) reported that compared to those with no religious affiliation, while elderly people with religious affiliations showed higher prevalence of mental health problems, they reported less frequent treatment by health care professionals. In fact, Christians and Moslems were least likely to seek treatment for mental illness among various religious affiliations.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mental health service utilization among Korean elders in Korean churches: preliminary findings from the Memory and Aging Study of Koreans in Maryland (MASK-MD)

Lee

Han

Huh

et al. 2013

Aging & Mental Health

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Background Korean Americans (KA) comprise the fourth largest Asian-American subgroup, with a population estimated at nearly 1.7 million, and the vast majority (up to 85%) of KA elders attends ethnic churches. Despite the rapid increase of the KA elderly population, data on mental health service utilization among KA elders are scarce. Method Based on a cluster sampling method, the Memory and Aging Study among Koreans in Maryland (MASK-MD) recruited and assessed 630 KA elders (mean age: 70.9 ± 6.1 years; 68.9% female) in KA churches for depression, dementia, and level of mental health service utilization. The Korean versions of the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9K) and Mini-mental Status Examination (MMSE-KC) were administered by trained community health workers. Results Of the 630 participants, 23.2% and 7.3% had PHQ-9 scores of 5 (‘mild depression’) or above and 10 or above (‘clinical depression’), respectively. In addition, 7.0% scored below the age- and education-specific cutoff values for probable dementia based on the MMSE-KC. Of the 92 participants with ‘clinical depression’ or having thoughts of death or self-injury, only 16 (17%) reported utilizing mental health services. Likewise, of 56 participants with probable dementia, only 3 (7.3%) sought treatment from a health care provider. Conclusion The prevalence of depression and cognitive impairment are high in community-dwelling KA elders attending KA churches, but the rate of mental health service utilization among depressed or cognitively impaired Korean elders is low. Further research is warranted to identify barriers to and strategies for adequate mental health care for Korean immigrant elders.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mental health service utilization among Korean elders in Korean churches: preliminary findings from the Memory and Aging Study of Koreans in Maryland (MASK-MD)

Lee

Han

Huh

et al. 2013

Aging & Mental Health

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“…However, education was reported as a factor in whether older persons sought treatment. Those less formally educated were found to have stronger religious affiliations (Ng et al, 2011). Level of education was also found to be an important factor in Minhat and Amin's (2012) study of leisure participation of elderly persons in Malaysia.…”

Section: Critiquementioning

confidence: 96%

“…Elsewhere, a study by Ng, Nyunt, Chiam, and Kua (2011) of elderly persons in Singapore suggested that religious beliefs could affect health beliefs and the use of mental health services. Compared to those with no religious affiliation, elderly persons with religious affiliations showed higher prevalence of mental health problems, yet reported less frequent treatment by healthcare professionals.…”

Section: Critiquementioning

confidence: 97%

Key characteristics of age-friendly cities and communities: A review

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2015

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a b s t r a c tThe creation of age-friendly environments worldwide has been promoted by the World Health Organization as a strategy to address the challenges posed by the converging trends of urbanisation and population. This has resulted in an increased discussed of strategies and initiatives which ensure policies, services and products meet the needs of older persons. This article aims to examine the current evidence of approaches and interventions used to create age-friendly cities and communities identified in recent research and practice. This review identified clear characteristics that contribute towards an agefriendly city. Multi-stakeholder collaborations, government commitment, inclusion of older persons and policies that tackled both the physical and social environments were key factors that contributed towards approaches and interventions used to create age-friendly cities and communities. The characteristics of age-friendly initiatives identified provide a promising basis for the development of ageing policy and planning globally to make cities more supportive of older people.

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“…Religious beliefs may also affect medical decision making, generate beliefs that conflict with medical care, induce spiritual struggles that create stress and impair health outcomes, and interfere with disease detection and treatment compliance (8). Most of the studies conducted in Asia have focused on help-seeking behavior among people with mental health problems (16)(17)(18)(19) or the role of religion and spirituality in coping with mental health problems (20,21).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Roles of Religious and Spiritual Advisors Among Adults in Singapore With Mental Illnesses

Subramaniam¹,

Abdin²,

Vaingankar³

et al. 2013

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OBJECTIVE Information is limited concerning the role of religious and spiritual advisors in providing help to people with mental illnesses in Singapore. This study examined that role, as well as the satisfaction with and the perceived effectiveness of the services provided, among people with mental health problems. METHODS Data were collected as part of a nationally representative household survey of residents 18 years and older in Singapore. The Composite International Diagnostic Interview, version 3.0, was used to diagnose mental illness as well as to collect information about the mental health services respondents had sought. RESULTS A total of 6,616 respondents completed the survey; in the overall sample, 1.5% reported seeking help from religious or spiritual advisors. This rate increased to 6.6% among those with at least one mental illness, with the prevalence being higher among respondents with lifetime dysthymia, generalized anxiety disorder, or bipolar disorder. Sociodemographic correlates associated with a lower likelihood of consultation with a religious or spiritual advisor included reporting "other" race-ethnicity as well as faith in Buddhism, Hinduism, or Islam. Most respondents who sought help from a religious or spiritual advisor in the last 12 months were satisfied with the help they received, and about half reported it to be very useful. CONCLUSIONS Religious and spiritual advisors are an important source of help for people with mental illness, and a majority of respondents with a mental illness were satisfied with the support they received from these sources.

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Religion, health beliefs and the use of mental health services by the elderly

Abstract: Further studies should evaluate the lower tendency of elderly people with religious affiliations to seek treatment for mental health problems.

Cited by 32 publications

References 29 publications

Mental health service utilization among Korean elders in Korean churches: preliminary findings from the Memory and Aging Study of Koreans in Maryland (MASK-MD)

Mental health service utilization among Korean elders in Korean churches: preliminary findings from the Memory and Aging Study of Koreans in Maryland (MASK-MD)

Key characteristics of age-friendly cities and communities: A review

Roles of Religious and Spiritual Advisors Among Adults in Singapore With Mental Illnesses

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