Examination of factors contributing to help-seeking behavior in accessing psychosocial support services among Japanese cancer patients: An application of the segmentation approach
This study was conducted and the data were collected in Osaka University.
Funding information: Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Grant/Award Number: JP15J02668
Abstract
Objective
Various psychosocial support services for cancer patients are available in Japan; however, their utilization rate is low. The present study aimed to examine factors contributing to help-seeking behavior in the use of psychosocial support services among cancer outpatients at three stages: Precontemplation (without adjustment disorder or major depression), Precontemplation (with adjustment disorder or major depression), and Contemplation.
Methods
We conducted a web-based questionnaire survey at two points with a panel of cancer outpatients. We collected data on demographic information, physical status, the use of and intention to use psychosocial support services, psychological distress, attitude toward using psychosocial support services for cancer patients, and social support.
Results
In total, 395 cancer patients were analyzed. In the Precontemplation (without adjustment disorder or major depression) stage, resistance to help-seeking (OR = 0.726, P = .011) and future prospects of the Brief Cancer-Related Worry Inventory (OR = 1.012, P = .019) were significant. In the Precontemplation (with adjustment disorder or major depression) stage, only recommendation by medical staff or family (OR = 0.000, P = .026) had a significant effect. In the Contemplation stage, only social and interpersonal problems (OR = 0.942, P = .080) showed a significant (negative) trend.
Conclusions
This study showed that contributing factors differed by stage. To encourage the use of psychosocial support services, it is desirable to recommend the use and to develop interventions for promoting, with responding to patients' conditions and intentions rather than responding to everyone in the same way.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
The authors declare no potential conflict of interest.
Open Research
DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT
Research data are not shared.
