Mental health literacy among older adults in Shanghai: a descriptive qualitative study
BackgroundThe aging population in China is surging rapidly, and elderly individuals are at higher risk of multiple mental health issues. Improving the mental health literacy of older adults can help them recognize mental illness and adopt proactive measures, potentially improving their mental health...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-02-01
|
| Series: | Frontiers in Psychology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1470758/full |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1825206745116442624 |
|---|---|
| author | Rongjing Xu Mingrui Jing Aining Zhang Liqi Zha Yan Wang Anni Wang Jun Tang Biyun Xia Shoumei Jia |
| author_facet | Rongjing Xu Mingrui Jing Aining Zhang Liqi Zha Yan Wang Anni Wang Jun Tang Biyun Xia Shoumei Jia |
| author_sort | Rongjing Xu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | BackgroundThe aging population in China is surging rapidly, and elderly individuals are at higher risk of multiple mental health issues. Improving the mental health literacy of older adults can help them recognize mental illness and adopt proactive measures, potentially improving their mental health status and supporting the goal of healthy aging.ObjectiveTo explore mental health literacy among older adults, providing a foundation for future interventions aimed at improving their mental health literacy.MethodsGuided by the new conceptualization framework of mental health literacy developed by Jiang et al. the study involved 20 community-dwelling older adults from four communities in Shanghai who were selected through purposive sampling to participate in semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis was employed to summarize and extract themes from the data.ResultsThe qualitative analysis identified three primary themes and eight subthemes: inadequate knowledge about mental health and illnesses, negative intentions and attitudes toward maintaining mental health and preventing mental illnesses, and health behavior to promote mental health and prevent mental disorders.ConclusionThis study reveals significant gaps in mental health literacy among older adults, underscoring the necessity for multifaceted interventions. It calls for concerted efforts from individuals, families, and society to bolster mental health knowledge, challenge stigma, and encourage supportive behaviors. By integrating these approaches with the ‘Healthy China 2030’ policy, we aim to enhance mental health literacy for the aged. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-baebd8b56dfd41b0ad0cecfbeeb66b9b |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1664-1078 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Psychology |
| spelling | doaj-art-baebd8b56dfd41b0ad0cecfbeeb66b9b2025-02-07T06:49:54ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Psychology1664-10782025-02-011510.3389/fpsyg.2024.14707581470758Mental health literacy among older adults in Shanghai: a descriptive qualitative studyRongjing Xu0Mingrui Jing1Aining Zhang2Liqi Zha3Yan Wang4Anni Wang5Jun Tang6Biyun Xia7Shoumei Jia8Fudan University, School of Nursing, Shanghai, ChinaFudan University, School of Nursing, Shanghai, ChinaFudan University, School of Nursing, Shanghai, ChinaFudan University, School of Nursing, Shanghai, ChinaFudan University, School of Nursing, Shanghai, ChinaFudan University, School of Nursing, Shanghai, ChinaHuadong Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, ChinaHuadong Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, ChinaFudan University, School of Nursing, Shanghai, ChinaBackgroundThe aging population in China is surging rapidly, and elderly individuals are at higher risk of multiple mental health issues. Improving the mental health literacy of older adults can help them recognize mental illness and adopt proactive measures, potentially improving their mental health status and supporting the goal of healthy aging.ObjectiveTo explore mental health literacy among older adults, providing a foundation for future interventions aimed at improving their mental health literacy.MethodsGuided by the new conceptualization framework of mental health literacy developed by Jiang et al. the study involved 20 community-dwelling older adults from four communities in Shanghai who were selected through purposive sampling to participate in semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis was employed to summarize and extract themes from the data.ResultsThe qualitative analysis identified three primary themes and eight subthemes: inadequate knowledge about mental health and illnesses, negative intentions and attitudes toward maintaining mental health and preventing mental illnesses, and health behavior to promote mental health and prevent mental disorders.ConclusionThis study reveals significant gaps in mental health literacy among older adults, underscoring the necessity for multifaceted interventions. It calls for concerted efforts from individuals, families, and society to bolster mental health knowledge, challenge stigma, and encourage supportive behaviors. By integrating these approaches with the ‘Healthy China 2030’ policy, we aim to enhance mental health literacy for the aged.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1470758/fullthe agedmental healthmental health literacyqualitative researchthematic analysis |
| spellingShingle | Rongjing Xu Mingrui Jing Aining Zhang Liqi Zha Yan Wang Anni Wang Jun Tang Biyun Xia Shoumei Jia Mental health literacy among older adults in Shanghai: a descriptive qualitative study Frontiers in Psychology the aged mental health mental health literacy qualitative research thematic analysis |
| title | Mental health literacy among older adults in Shanghai: a descriptive qualitative study |
| title_full | Mental health literacy among older adults in Shanghai: a descriptive qualitative study |
| title_fullStr | Mental health literacy among older adults in Shanghai: a descriptive qualitative study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Mental health literacy among older adults in Shanghai: a descriptive qualitative study |
| title_short | Mental health literacy among older adults in Shanghai: a descriptive qualitative study |
| title_sort | mental health literacy among older adults in shanghai a descriptive qualitative study |
| topic | the aged mental health mental health literacy qualitative research thematic analysis |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1470758/full |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT rongjingxu mentalhealthliteracyamongolderadultsinshanghaiadescriptivequalitativestudy AT mingruijing mentalhealthliteracyamongolderadultsinshanghaiadescriptivequalitativestudy AT ainingzhang mentalhealthliteracyamongolderadultsinshanghaiadescriptivequalitativestudy AT liqizha mentalhealthliteracyamongolderadultsinshanghaiadescriptivequalitativestudy AT yanwang mentalhealthliteracyamongolderadultsinshanghaiadescriptivequalitativestudy AT anniwang mentalhealthliteracyamongolderadultsinshanghaiadescriptivequalitativestudy AT juntang mentalhealthliteracyamongolderadultsinshanghaiadescriptivequalitativestudy AT biyunxia mentalhealthliteracyamongolderadultsinshanghaiadescriptivequalitativestudy AT shoumeijia mentalhealthliteracyamongolderadultsinshanghaiadescriptivequalitativestudy |