Relationships between mental health and styles of help-seeking among care workers in comparison with the general population
Abstract Background Care workers in long-term nursing homes often experience burdens and a high rate of resignations. This study aimed to investigate the mental health of care workers and to examine the relationship between the tendency to seek help and their mental health, through a comparison with...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Springer
2025-02-01
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| Series: | Discover Mental Health |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1007/s44192-025-00131-7 |
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| author | Tomoko Matsui Hikaru Oba Ryosuke Uchida Tsukasa Teraguchi |
| author_facet | Tomoko Matsui Hikaru Oba Ryosuke Uchida Tsukasa Teraguchi |
| author_sort | Tomoko Matsui |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Care workers in long-term nursing homes often experience burdens and a high rate of resignations. This study aimed to investigate the mental health of care workers and to examine the relationship between the tendency to seek help and their mental health, through a comparison with the general population to address this issue. Methods Online surveys were conducted separately with 273 care workers and 260 general public using a questionnaire platform. They were asked about their demographic variables, mental health [the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K6) and stressors], help-seeking styles (self-directed, excessive, and avoidant help-seeking), and usage on use of psychological support services. The analyses were performed except for missing responses. Results Overall, 132 (48.4%) care workers scored higher than the cutoff point on the K6. Regarding stressors identified by the care workers, most of the contents were related to work-related matters and workplace relationships, as demonstrated through qualitative analysis. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis showed that the interaction term between each help-seeking style and participant group was non-significant. Meanwhile, age (β = −0.116, p = 0.009), excessive help-seeking (β = 0.120, p = 0.014), and avoidant help-seeking (β = 0.331, p < 0.001) were associated with the K6. Conclusion This study revealed the tendency of care workers’ help-seeking behavior and its relationship to mental health. Improving care workers’ help-seeking skills and adjusting their work environment are essential for maintaining and enhancing their mental health. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-80d46533ea49420392ca60207487dad6 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2731-4383 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | Springer |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Discover Mental Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-80d46533ea49420392ca60207487dad62025-02-09T12:14:56ZengSpringerDiscover Mental Health2731-43832025-02-015111110.1007/s44192-025-00131-7Relationships between mental health and styles of help-seeking among care workers in comparison with the general populationTomoko Matsui0Hikaru Oba1Ryosuke Uchida2Tsukasa Teraguchi3Graduate School of Human Sciences, Osaka UniversityGraduate School of Health Sciences, Hirosaki UniversityFaculty of Human and Social Sciences, University of Marketing and Distribution SciencesHuman Factor Research Group, Institute of Nuclear Safety SystemAbstract Background Care workers in long-term nursing homes often experience burdens and a high rate of resignations. This study aimed to investigate the mental health of care workers and to examine the relationship between the tendency to seek help and their mental health, through a comparison with the general population to address this issue. Methods Online surveys were conducted separately with 273 care workers and 260 general public using a questionnaire platform. They were asked about their demographic variables, mental health [the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K6) and stressors], help-seeking styles (self-directed, excessive, and avoidant help-seeking), and usage on use of psychological support services. The analyses were performed except for missing responses. Results Overall, 132 (48.4%) care workers scored higher than the cutoff point on the K6. Regarding stressors identified by the care workers, most of the contents were related to work-related matters and workplace relationships, as demonstrated through qualitative analysis. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis showed that the interaction term between each help-seeking style and participant group was non-significant. Meanwhile, age (β = −0.116, p = 0.009), excessive help-seeking (β = 0.120, p = 0.014), and avoidant help-seeking (β = 0.331, p < 0.001) were associated with the K6. Conclusion This study revealed the tendency of care workers’ help-seeking behavior and its relationship to mental health. Improving care workers’ help-seeking skills and adjusting their work environment are essential for maintaining and enhancing their mental health.https://doi.org/10.1007/s44192-025-00131-7Care workersNursing homeHelp-seeking stylesMental healthDementia |
| spellingShingle | Tomoko Matsui Hikaru Oba Ryosuke Uchida Tsukasa Teraguchi Relationships between mental health and styles of help-seeking among care workers in comparison with the general population Discover Mental Health Care workers Nursing home Help-seeking styles Mental health Dementia |
| title | Relationships between mental health and styles of help-seeking among care workers in comparison with the general population |
| title_full | Relationships between mental health and styles of help-seeking among care workers in comparison with the general population |
| title_fullStr | Relationships between mental health and styles of help-seeking among care workers in comparison with the general population |
| title_full_unstemmed | Relationships between mental health and styles of help-seeking among care workers in comparison with the general population |
| title_short | Relationships between mental health and styles of help-seeking among care workers in comparison with the general population |
| title_sort | relationships between mental health and styles of help seeking among care workers in comparison with the general population |
| topic | Care workers Nursing home Help-seeking styles Mental health Dementia |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1007/s44192-025-00131-7 |
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