Help-Seeking by Parental Caregivers of Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities and Dual Diagnosis

Adm Policy Ment Health. 2019 May;46(3):321-333. doi: 10.1007/s10488-018-00915-w.

Abstract

This study examined the roles of stigma and of enabling factors in help-seeking by parental caregivers of individuals with intellectual disabilities and dual diagnosis. Questionnaires were completed by 195 family caregivers. Lower family stigma was related to higher personal enabling factors (e.g. knowledge about services and previous experience in seeking help), which in turn was related to higher help-seeking behaviors. Higher professional enabling factors (e.g. attitude of the professional, services in the vicinity) were related to higher intentions to seek help, which were related to higher help-seeking behaviors. Professionals can help families achieve a greater sense of self-efficacy in their own help-seeking process by providing them with knowledge about services and facilitating a more positive experience in the process.

Keywords: Dual diagnosis; Family caregivers; Help-seeking; Intellectual disabilities.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Caregivers
  • Female
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
  • Health Services Accessibility / organization & administration
  • Help-Seeking Behavior*
  • Humans
  • Intellectual Disability / epidemiology*
  • Israel
  • Male
  • Mental Disorders / epidemiology*
  • Mental Health Services / organization & administration*
  • Middle Aged
  • Parents / psychology*
  • Patient Acceptance of Health Care / psychology
  • Professional-Patient Relations
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Social Stigma
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Young Adult