Objectives: In this study, we examine the public’s knowledge about different levels of
depression severity in Germany.
Methods: Data stem from a national telephone survey in Germany. A total of 1,009
persons participated, response rate was 46.8%. A vignette was presented with signs of
mild, moderate or severe depression. Participants were asked what they think the person
has, which persons and services are helpful and how effective different treatment options
are. Differences between the three vignettes were tested with 95% confidence intervals
and χ
2
-tests.
Results: 55.3% of the respondents identified depression as the health problem in
question. Participants who heard the vignette with moderate symptomatology
recognized depression more often. Across groups, a general practitioner was named
most frequently concerning helpful persons/services. Effectiveness of psychotherapy
received high levels of approval, online therapy and books were less often rated as
effective. There were only few significant differences between the three vignettes.
Conclusions: This is the first study examining public depression literacy for different severity
levels. Small differences between severity levels indicate a lack of knowledge, which may
have adverse consequences for adherence to treatment, especially for mild depression.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:DRESDEN/oai:qucosa:de:qucosa:88564 |
| Date | 11 December 2023 |
| Creators | Makowski, Anna Christin, Härter, Martin, Schomerus, Georg, von dem Knesebeck, Olaf |
| Publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| Source Sets | Hochschulschriftenserver (HSSS) der SLUB Dresden |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion, doc-type:article, info:eu-repo/semantics/article, doc-type:Text |
| Rights | info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess |
| Relation | 1661-8564, 10.3389/ijph.2021.607794 |
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