An observational study in Screening, sponsored by Sigmund Freud PrivatUniversitat. Completed at 1 site in Austria. Open to participants aged 14 Years and older, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2024-11-08.
Sponsored by Sigmund Freud PrivatUniversitat · Observational
This study investigates the symptom burden and help-seeking behavior in the Austrian general population. Current research shows that mental health in Austria has significantly worsened since the COVID-19 pandemic. Lockdowns, social isolation, and uncertainty about the future have led to increased psychological stress, which has remained elevated even after restrictions were lifted. Vulnerable groups such as young people and individuals with a migration background were particularly affected, often experiencing additional stressors like language barriers, cultural differences, and financial strain. Migrant families frequently face more barriers to accessing mental health services, such as linguistic obstacles, lack of knowledge about the healthcare system, insufficient financial resources, stigmatization of mental illness, and cultural differences in understanding mental health. Research shows that migrants are less likely to seek professional help, instead relying on informal networks or alternative healing methods, leaving many untreated.
Therefore, this study aims to further explore these barriers and the differences in help-seeking behavior between individuals with and without migration backgrounds. A representative sample of the Austrian general population will complete validated questionnaires to assess symptom burden, help-seeking behavior, and self-stigmatization. The study findings will help identify obstacles to accessing psychotherapeutic care and provide insight into improving mental health services, particularly for vulnerable groups.
The research project focuses on the mental health and help-seeking behaviors of the Austrian general population, with a particular interest in vulnerable groups like individuals with migration backgrounds.
The study employs a comprehensive approach by using an online survey targeting a representative sample of the Austrian general population. Key areas of focus include the symptom burden related to psychological disorders and help-seeking behaviors. The survey incorporates a range of standardised validated measurement tools, including: CORE-OM (to assess psychological well-being, symptoms, functionality, and risks), GHSQ (to evaluate help-seeking behavior), SSOSH (to measure self-stigmatization), PHQ-9 (to assess depressive symptoms), GAD-7 (to measure generalized anxiety disorder), ISI-7 (for insomnia severity), PSS-4 (for stress), CAGE (for alcohol misuse), SOEP (for loneliness), and open questions on stressors and resources.
This study will provide insights into the mental health challenges faced by the general population and identify specific barriers to accessing psychotherapeutic care among people with migration backgrounds. These findings will inform future interventions and support mechanisms for these groups. The recruitment process will involve a professional survey agency (Marketagent GmbH), which will ensure a representative sample, including participants aged 14 and above. Participants must have adequate German language skills and reside in Austria. The results will contribute to improving mental health services and addressing disparities in care access.
Sigmund Freud PrivatUniversitat is the lead sponsor of 12 studies on the registry; 10 are open to participants now.
Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.
representative sample of the Austrian general population according to age, gender, age x gender, region and education level
Exclusion Criteria:
Sample of the Austriang General Population aged \>=14 years representative for age, gender, age x gender, region, education
General Help Seeking Behavior
The General Help-Seeking Questionnaire (GHSQ) is a valdiated standardized tool to assess current intentions to seek help from different sources for different problems. The total score ranges from 10 to 70, with higher scores indicating a greater intention to seek help.
Time frame: Once in October 2024
Clincial Outcomes in Routine Evaluation
The Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation - Outcome Measure (CORE-OM) is a common self-report measure of global distress with 34 items all answered on the same five level Likert-type scale asking about the respondents state over the last week. It was originally designed and developed in response to a research funding call from the UK Mental Health Foundation which required that the content must cover domains of well-being (4 items), problems (12 items), functioning (12 items) and risk (6 items). The total score ranges from 0 to 136 (sum of items), with higher scores indicating greater symptom/distress burden. Domain scores range from 0 to 16 (well-being), 0 to 48 (problems and functioning) and 0 to 24 (risk). In addition, means can be calculated by dividing the sum of the items by the number of items in the total score or in the respective domains.
Time frame: Once in October 2024
Alcohol Abuse
Symptoms of alcohol abuse will be assessed with a brief screening tool, the so-called CAGE questionnaire. The acronym stands for 4 yes/no items constituting the screening test: 1. Have you ever felt that you ought to Cut down on your drinking? 2. Have people Annoyed you by criticizing your drinking? 3. Have you ever felt bad or Guilty about your drinking? 4. Have you ever had a drink first thing in the morn ing to steady your nerves or to get rid of a hangover (Eye-opener)? The total score ranges from 0 to 4, with higher scores indicating a greater degree of problem drinking behaviour.
Time frame: Once in October 2024
Insomnia Symptoms
Symptoms of sleeping disorders will be assessed with the brief version of the insomnia severity index (ISI-7). The total score ranges from 0 to 28, with higher scores indicating higher levels of sleep problems.
Time frame: Once in October 2024
Depressive Symptoms
Symptoms of depression will be assessed with the 9 item version of the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). The total score ranges from 0 to 27, with higher scores indicating greater symptom burden.
Time frame: Once in October 2024
Symptoms of Anxiety
Symptoms of anxiety will be assessed with the 7 item version of the general anxiety disorder scale (GAD-7). The total score ranges from 0 to 21, with higher scores indicating greater symptom burden.
Time frame: Once in October 2024
Self-stigma
The construct of self-stigma as an important factor in people\'s decisions not to seek (psycho)therapeutic treatment is assessed using the 10-item Self-Stigma of Seeking Help (SSOSH) scale. The total score ranges from 10 to 50, with higher scores indicating higher levels of self-stigma.
Time frame: Once in October 2024
Free text questions on resources and burdens
Two free text questions will elaborate on perceived burdens and resources following a previous study in the Austrian general population. 1. What is currently bothering you the most? 2. What helps you most to cope with your problems at the moment?
Time frame: Once in October 2024
Perceived Stress Level
The perceived stress level will be assessed with the short version of the perceived stress scale comprising 4 items (PSS-4). The total score ranges from 0 to 16, with higher scores indicating greater symptom burden.
Time frame: Once in October 2024
Loneliness
Perceived social isolation is assessed using the three-item loneliness scale (SOEP). The total score ranges from 0 to 12, with higher scores indicating greater social isolation.
Time frame: Once in October 2024
Plan to share: Undecided
This study is completed, as verified in Nov 2024. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
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Sigmund Freud PrivatUniversitat