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Religion, health beliefs and the use of mental health services by the elderly
- Authors:
- NG Tze Pin, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 15(2), March 2011, pp.143-149.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Health beliefs that people have about their mental health and services influence their perception of need and use of health services. This study investigated whether elderly people of particular religious affiliations are more or less likely to seek treatment for mental illness, and whether this is related to their health beliefs. The study used data from the National Mental Survey of Elderly Singaporeans in 2004, a population-based survey with a total of 1092 participants aged 60 and above. Data were collected on reported religious affiliations, and 1-year prevalence of mental disorders from diagnostic interviews using the Geriatric Mental State schedule, self-report of treatment for mental health problems, and health beliefs about the curability of mental illness, embarrassment and stigma, ease in discussing mental problems, effectiveness and safety of treatment, and trust in professionals. The results showed that, compared to those with no religious affiliation, elderly people of all religious affiliations showed higher prevalence of mental health problems, yet reported less frequent treatment by healthcare professionals. In multivariate analyses, the adjusted odds ratio of association with seeking treatment were for Christianity, 0.12; Islam, 0.12; Buddhism/Taoism, 0.59; and Hinduism, 0.21 versus no affiliation. Various religious affiliations differ from each other and from non-religious affiliation on some negative health beliefs, but they did not adequately explain why religious affiliates were less likely to seek treatment.