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This study used focus group methodology to identify culturally-specific barriers to, and facilitators of, eating disorder (ED) treatment-seeking for South Asian (SA) American women. Seven focus groups were conducted with 54 participants (Mage=20.11 years, SD=2.52), all of whom had lived in the United States (US) for at least three years (63.0% of the sample was born in the US). Transcripts were independently coded by a team of researchers (n=4) and the final codebook included codes present in at least half of the transcripts. Thematic analysis identified salient themes (barriers, n=6; facilitators, n=3) for SA American women. Barriers to ED-treatment seeking were inextricable from barriers to mental health treatment, more broadly. In addition to generalized mental health stigma, participants cited social stigma (i.e., a pervasive fear of social ostracization), as a significant treatment-seeking barrier. Additional barriers were: cultural influences on the etiology and treatment of mental illness, parents' unresolved mental health concerns (usually tied to immigration), healthcare providers' biases, general lack of knowledge about EDs, and minimal SA representation within ED research/clinical care. To address these obstacles, participants recommended that clinicians facilitate intergenerational conversations about mental health and EDs, partner with SA communities to create targeted ED psychoeducational health campaigns, and train providers in culturally-sensitive practices for detecting and treating EDs. SA American women face multiple family, community, and institutional barriers to accessing mental health treatment generally, which limits their ability to access ED-specific care. Recommendations to improve ED treatment access include: (a) campaigns to destigmatize mental health more systematically, (b) collaboration with SA communities and, (c) and training providers in culturally-sensitive care.

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OBJECTIVES: To examine factors that lead to the facilitation of multiple myeloma (MM) treatment. SAMPLE & SETTING: 29 patients who had been diagnosed with MM at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. METHODS & VARIABLES: Semistructured qualitative interviews were administered by trained research staff. Interview topics included illness beliefs, illness experiences, treatment experiences, and treatment decision-making. Interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Four coders independently coded the transcripts, and the authors analyzed data using interpretive description. RESULTS: The following facilitators of treatment were identified: (a) healthcare team trust and support, (b) personal resilience and initiative-taking, and (c) external support (emotional/social support and instrumental/organizational support). Healthcare team trust and support were established through rapport-building and compassion, accessibility and time spent with the patient, shared decision-making, and provider reputation. Personal resilience was manifested by patients through positive attitudes, taking control of their illness, and self-advocacy. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: Understanding factors that facilitate MM treatment may lead to better patient outcomes and can potentially inform oncology nursing practice by providing a framework for tailored health education and care management practices for patients with MM.

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Background: Healthcare professionals can experience problems regarding mental health and emotional well-being (e.g. burnout) at a higher degree compared to their non-physician counterparts. Fear of stigma is often a barrier to seeking treatment among physicians. However, there is a shortage of studies related to mental health and treatment seeking among trainees and medical students. Objectives: This study sought to examine mental health in U.S. medical students, factors contributing to mental health symptoms, and obstacles to seeking treatment. Design and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted through a confidential survey sent out in fall 2021, with 510 U.S. medical student participants. This survey included scales to assess depression (the Patient Health Questionnaire-8), anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7), past year symptoms of hazardous drinking (Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test), and past 30-day binge drinking days. The survey also included free-response questions about their reasons for seeking mental health care if they did (facilitators) and any barriers that kept them from seeking treatment. Results: About one-quarter of participants met criteria for possible depressive (24%) or anxiety disorders (24%); 9% of the sample drank at hazardous drinking levels. Between 47% and 60% of those who screened positive for depression, anxiety, or hazardous drinking reported an unmet need for mental health services. Anxiety and depression were cited as the most common reasons to seek treatment; concerns about stigma from peers and professional retaliation were notable for being barriers to treatment. Conclusion: Our sample of medical students reported notable prevalence of probable depression or anxiety disorder, while also reporting needing more support to improve their mental health. Despite this, barriers exist that may discourage medical students from seeking needed treatments. Findings from this study aim to encourage discussion and positive change in the healthcare community regarding perception and attitudes toward mental health and substance use treatment.

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Complex traumatic experiences, such as childhood sexual and physical abuse, occur in approximately 13% of the Australian population and are more common in women. Despite the prevalence of complex trauma and the need for evidence-based services for survivors, no studies have explored treatment-related experiences of women with complex trauma in Australia. The aim of the current study was to identify barriers and facilitators to treatment seeking and engagement amongst women who have experienced complex trauma in Australia. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 11 women with complex trauma histories who presented to a university outpatient psychology clinic. Content analysis was used to identify common barriers and facilitators to mental health treatment seeking and engagement amongst these women. Participants faced three key barriers when seeking treatment and engaging in mental health services: systemic issues, dissatisfaction with treatment and intrapersonal barriers (e.g. fear of the healthcare system). Appropriate support from supportive, committed health care workers was a facilitator to engagement and access. Findings from this study suggest that the mental health system in Australia may not be meeting the needs of women with complex trauma histories. Increasing access to affordable, trauma-informed care and bolstering providers' knowledge of complex trauma, may enable some of the barriers identified by participants to be overcome.

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The purpose of this study was to explore facilitators and barriers that may contribute to, or prevent, the engagement and retention of Latinos in eating disorders (EDs) treatment. OBJECTIVE: The main objective of this investigation was to explore more fully the facilitators and barriers that may contribute to or prevent the engagement and retention of Latinos/as in EDs treatment. METHODS: A qualitative design based on grounded theory was used to guide in-depth interviews with 5 Latinas (mean age 31.2 years) with history of EDs and with 5 Latino mental health providers (mean age 36.4 years). RESULTS: Six main themes were found in the discussion with patients and mental health providers: immigration stress, treatment experience in the U.S., facilitators of help seeking, barriers to help seeking, treatment needs, and facilitators of treatment retention. For patients, lack of information about EDs and lack of bilingual treatment were identified as practical barriers. Other emotional factors such as stigma, fear of not being understood, family privacy and not being ready to change were identified as barriers to seeking help. Among facilitator factors that encouraged patients to seek help, the most salient were the perception of the severity of the ED and emotional distress. For treatment retention, family support was a key element among patients. For providers, offering short-term treatment and directive treatment were seen as relevant factors for treatment retention in Latinos. CONCLUSIONS: A culturally sensitive intervention model for Latinas with EDs in the U.S. is discussed addressing four levels: patient; family; providers; and system.