Mental health help seeking among Filipinos: a review of the literature

This study aims to provide a review of potential barriers to seeking mental health services among Filipinos. Research on help-seeking behavior s among Filipinos living in the Philippines and other countries (e.g., US, Canada, and Australia) suggest that mental health services in the Philippines are inaccessible and monetarily prohibitive, and beliefs about the aetiology and nature of mental illness are inconsistent with the medical model. Other cultural variables such as shame, stigma, and collectivist beliefs also discourage Filipinos from seeking help from mental health professionals. Furthermore, these variables could account for the preference for folk healers and lay networks in treating mental illnesses. As such, cultural and economic factors need to be accounted for in conceptualizing Filipinos’ utilization of mental health services. Implications and suggestions to aid practice were also discussed

Mental health help seeking among Filipinos: a review of the literature

This study aims to provide a review of potential barriers to seeking mental health services among Filipinos. Research on help-seeking behavior s among Filipinos living in the Philippines and other countries (e.g., US, Canada, and Australia) suggest that mental health services in the Philippines are inaccessible and monetarily prohibitive, and beliefs about the aetiology and nature of mental illness are inconsistent with the medical model. Other cultural variables such as shame, stigma, and collectivist beliefs also discourage Filipinos from seeking help from mental health professionals. Furthermore, these variables could account for the preference for folk healers and lay networks in treating mental illnesses. As such, cultural and economic factors need to be accounted for in conceptualizing Filipinos’ utilization of mental health services. Implications and suggestions to aid practice were also discussed

Does Alcohol Mediate the Relationship Between Sexual Victimization and Risk Perception in a Date Rape Vignette

The present study used a date-rape vignette to examine the relationship between prior victimization, drinking habits (AUDIT score), risk perception. This was part of a larger study that analyzed sexual victimization and aggression. The present study looked at the 913 college-aged women that self-identified as heterosexual and bisexual at 2 mid-western colleges. They completed a battery of surveys that identified relevant history and behaviors. Findings suggest that the problematic drinking variable (AUDIT) mediates the relationship between prior victimization and risk perception

Does Alcohol Mediate the Relationship Between Sexual Victimization and Risk Perception in a Date Rape Vignette

The present study used a date-rape vignette to examine the relationship between prior victimization, drinking habits (AUDIT score), risk perception. This was part of a larger study that analyzed sexual victimization and aggression. The present study looked at the 913 college-aged women that self-identified as heterosexual and bisexual at 2 mid-western colleges. They completed a battery of surveys that identified relevant history and behaviors. Findings suggest that the problematic drinking variable (AUDIT) mediates the relationship between prior victimization and risk perception

The Development of a Community-Based Drug Intervention for Filipino Drug Users

This article documents the development of a community-based drug intervention for low- to mild-risk drug users who surrendered as part of the Philippine government\u27s anti-drug campaign. It highlights the importance of developing evidence-informed drug recovery interventions that are appropriate to the Asian culture and to developing economies. Interviews and consultations with users and community stakeholders reveal the need for an intervention that would improve the drug recovery skills and life skills of users. Evidence-based interventions were adapted using McKleroy and colleagues’ (2006) Map of Adaptation Process (MAP) framework. The resulting intervention reflected the country\u27s collectivist culture, relational values, propensity for indirect and non-verbal communication, and interdependent self-construal. The use of small groups, interactive and creative methodologies, and the incorporation of music and prayer also recognised the importance of these in the Philippine culture

Subjective Expected Utility and Sexual Coercive Behaviors: Examining the Role of Decision Processes, Alcohol Consumption, and Rape-Supportive Attitudes among College Males

Prior studies have established the role of rape-supportive attitudes and alcohol consumption in sexual coercive behaviors among college students. However, less research has examined the role of more proximal variables such as decision processes. Utilizing the subjective expected utility (SEU) model of decision making, this study aimed to examine how decisions are made in a date-rape scenario utilizing a vignette methodology. The SEU model posits that decisions to engage in a behavior are contingent on perceived utility of the action, perceived probability of the utility occurring, perceived cost of the behavior, and the perceived probability of the cost occurring. Higher SEU scores indicate overemphasis of the utility function and underemphasis of the costs. This study also examined how de-biasing techniques, specifically consider-the-opposite, can aid in correcting decision biases related to sexual coercive behaviors. Male college students (N = 161) were randomly assigned to either a control group (n = 83) or consider-the-opposite (n = 78) group. Interaction effects were significant, such that higher rape supportive attitude and high alcohol consumption reported the highest self-reported sexual coercive behavior. Results also indicated that rape-supportive attitudes affected decisions. Specifically, males with high rape-supportive attitudes had higher SEU scores (i.e., tend to overemphasize the utility and underemphasize the cost) across the date-rape vignette scenario. The consider-the-opposite intervention reduced SEU scores, but only during ambiguous events where sexual coercive behaviors were not as blatant. Moreover, consider-the-opposite interventions helped reduce the likelihood to engage in sexual coercive behaviors by reducing SEU scores and correcting decision biases during these ambiguous events. Results illustrate how biased decision processes explain the rape-supportive attitudes, alcohol consumption, and sexual coercive behavior relationship. Advisor: Dennis E. McChargu

Problematic alcohol use and sexual assault among male college students: The moderating and mediating roles of alcohol outcome expectancies

Background and Objectives: Extant research shows a strong relationship between alcohol use problems and sexual aggression. However, less is known about the effect of intermediary factors (eg, alcohol expectations) that may increase the likelihood of and/or explain sexual aggression during alcohol-related incidents. The present study examined alcohol outcome expectancies’ (OE) mediating and/or moderating influence on the relationship between problematic alcohol use severity and sexual aggression among male college students. Methods and Result: One hundred and forty eight (n = 148) male college students volunteered for the study. Seventyseven males self-reported committing at least one act of sexual aggression in their lifetime. Among those who sexually aggressed, 74% also reported symptoms of problematic drinking. Results show that sexuality-related alcohol OE fully mediated the relationship between problematic alcohol use severity and sexual aggression. Results also showed that aggression-related alcohol OE moderated the relationship between problematic alcohol use severity and sexual aggression. Specifically, aggression-related alcohol OE only influenced the relationship between problematic alcohol use and sexual aggression when alcohol problems were less severe. Conclusions and Scientific Significance: Discussion implicates the possible role alcohol prevention may play in reducing sexual aggression on college campuses, particularly as it relates to adjusting alcohol OE among those most likely to perpetrate

An Information Acquisition Approach on How Young Adults Search for Mental Health Professionals

Using a computer-based, information acquisition process tracing task (MouselabWEB), participants (N = 100) were presented with varying types and amounts of information and were tasked with choosing a mental health professional (MHP). Results of this lab-based study indicated that the tendency to engage in heuristically-driven decision-making process increases as MHP choice and cognitive burden increases. When MHP choices are limited, participants tend to acquire information on MHP’s age, treatment orientation, education, and years of experience. As MHP choices increase, MHP gender and ethnicity information were utilized the most, and education and years of experience utilized the least.</p

If you build it, will they come? Adoption of online counselling among overseas migrant workers

This study presents a model integrating perspectives from migration, help-seeking behaviour and technology adoption in examining the adoption of online counselling for migrant workers. The model suggests that adoption of online counselling among overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) is driven by a felt need and nature of location. Expressed concerns typically related to marital and relationship issues, family and parenting, homesickness and loneliness, work-related, and cultural adjustment. Majority of site users were based in the Middle East. A second factor influencing online counselling adoption is technology acceptance and adoption. In particular, data from non-users reveal that access to technology and lack of skills are major barriers to use indicating technology. Finally, the interviews also highlight the cultural barriers and misconceptions that may hinder migrant workers from seeking online counselling. However, site users report positive feedback about the site in providing social support to OFWs

Psychosocial treatment for incarcerated methamphetamine users: The Philippine experience

Purpose The purpose of this study is to evaluate a psychosocial treatment program for prisoners incarcerated because of methamphetamine use. It compared the outcomes of prisoners who received the program while incarcerated, those who were released and received the treatment as part of community-based drug recovery program and a waitlist-control group (WC) with no treatment. Design/methodology/approach A quasi-experimental design was use with pre- and post-test surveys administered to three groups: a WC group, a pre-release treatment-while-incarcerated (TWI) group, and a post-release outpatient treatment group (OP). Surveys measured recovery skills, life skills and substance use disorder (SUD) symptoms were administered before and after the intervention. Findings Results revealed that at baseline OP and TWI had significant higher recovery skills compared to WC group. However, in terms of life skills, there was no significant difference observed among the WC, OP and TWI group at baseline. TWI had a significantly lower number of SUD symptoms compared to the WC group at baseline. As hypothesized, findings revealed significant changes in recovery and life skills among the OP and TWI group compared to the WC group. No significant change in SUD scores were observed for all groups. Research limitations/implications A major limitation of the study was the use of a quasi-experimental design because legal issues did not allow a randomized control trial. Future research using randomized controlled trial designs would provide more robust conclusions on the impact of the intervention. The study design was also limited to pre- and post-evaluation. Further studies are encouraged to look at longitudinal outcomes of appears on SUD symptoms and possibility of relapse. Practical implications Given that there were no significant differences in outcomes between OP and TWI groups, results suggest that the program may serve either as a pre- or post-release program for incarcerated drug users. However, results also suggest that completion is higher when the program is used as a pre-release program. Delivering the program prior to release also reduces challenges related to attrition including conflict in schedules and the lack of resources for transportation. Social implications The study suggests the value of psychosocial treatment as opposed to punitive approaches in dealing with drug use. In particular, delivering interventions prior to release can prepare participants for problems they may encounter during reintegration and prevent recidivism. In a country where drug-related killings are on the rise, the study presents an alternate and restorative justice approach. Originality/value The study addresses a dearth in the literature on psychosocial intervention for methamphetamine users. It also fills a vacuum in studies from developing countries such as the Philippines