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Explores sociocultural predictors affecting mental health help-seeking intentions in older adults, suggesting key factors for intervention.
One in four older adults report experiencing current anxiety or depression, yet fewer than 20% access formal mental health care services. To better understand this treatment gap, the present study investigated the influence of sociocultural factors (e.g., close others stigma, self-stigma, internalized ageism, emotional control, self-reliance, provider cultural humility, logistical barriers, psychological distress, social support) on professional mental health help-seeking intention among older adults (age ≥ 55) in the United States, using the Integrated Behavioral Model of Mental Health Help-Seeking. Structural equation modeling was used to determine which of these sociocultural factors demonstrated an independent indirect effect on intention, as well as the Integrated Behavioral Model of Mental Health Help-Seeking mechanisms (attitude, perceived norm, personal agency) that mediate these indirect effects. Self-stigma of seeking help, perceived provider cultural humility, and psychological distress demonstrated the clearest connection with intention via the mediators of attitude and/or perceived norm. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).
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Kaiser et al. (2026) studied this question.
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