Table 1.
Top rated barriers by quantitative and mixed-method studies (n=14).
| # | References | Top rated barriers |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | (37) | (1) Low perceived need for treatment (86.5%) (low perceived need) (2) Attitudinal barriers (55.2%) (negative attitude) |
| 2 | (18) | (1) Able to resolve distress on one’s own (22.2%) (self-reliance) (2) Distrustful of psychiatrists (17.8%) (distrust) |
| 3 | (50) | (1) The problem will go away by itself (53.48%) (low perceived need) (2) I would prefer to handle the problem in another way (34.99%) (using alternative resources) |
| 4 | (19) | No quantitative information of barriers provided by this study |
| 5 | (11) | (1) I would prefer to handle the problem in another way (52.003%) (using alternative resources) (2) I am concerned about how much money it would cost (23.348%) (affordability) |
| 6 | (51) | (1) Seek help from other specialties, e.g. cardiology (39%) (using alternative resources) (2) Used alternative therapies, e.g. traditional Chinese medicine (25.0%) (using alternative resources) |
| 7 | (52) | (1) Seek help from friends and family (46.5%) (using alternative resources) (2) Seek help from a general practitioner (20%) (using alternative resources) |
| 8 | (53) | (1) No perceived mental distress (23%) (no perceived problems) (2) Prone to solve mental problems by themselves (15%) (self-reliance) |
| 9 | (20) | (1) I prefer to deal with issues on my own (56%) (self-reliance) (2) I question how serious my needs are (38.7%) (low perceived need) |
| 10 | (54) | No quantitative information of barriers provided by this study |
| 11 | (55) | (1) Want to solve it on one’s own (85.2%) (self-reliance) (2) Concern about the cost (43.7%) (affordability) |
| 12 | (56) | (1) External attribution for mental illness (i.e. denying mental illness) (denying problems) (2) Worry about the efficacy of mental health treatment and professionals’ ability (distrust) |
| 13 | (57) | (1) Solve the problems by themselves (22.3%) (self-reliance) (2) Distrust of psychiatrists (17.8%) (distrust) |
| 14 | (13) | (1) Think the problem can be solved by themselves (75.2%) (self-reliance) (2) The problem will go away itself as time goes on (64.49%) (low perceived need) |
#1– #11 = Publications in English; #12– #14 = Publications in Chinese; #1, #4, and #10: only quantitative information was assessed in these three mix-method studies.