Online Information Search and Help Seeking for Mental Health Problems in China

Background and Purpose: In recent years, the Internet has emerged as an alternative source of help in times of psychological distress. It is particularly popular among those who fear potential stigmatization associated with seeking help through professional or informal means. The number of Internet users in China reached 618 million in 2013. Based on a household survey with 2,558 respondents in Beijing, this study addresses three particular questions: What groups are more likely to search information and seek help from the Internet when experiencing emotional or mental distress? What factors predict the use of the Internet for emotional or mental problems? What concerns do people have when seeking help from the Internet?

Methods: Data for this study come from a household survey we completed in collaboration with the Research Center for Contemporary China at Peking University between July and October 2013. The target population for our household survey consist of permanent residents and rural-to-urban and urban-to-urban migrants aged 18 or above residing in the urban area of Beijing, regardless their hukou status. We employ spatial probability sampling technology instead of the traditional hukou sampling frame to reach the migrant population.

A total of 4,530 household addresses are sampled and 2,558 interviews are completed, with a response rate of 56.5%. All interviews are conducted in person by trained interviewers. Survey weights are developed to adjust for unequal probabilities of being selected. Post-stratification weights are calculated based on the age and gender distribution of urban population of Beijing reported in the 2010 China Population Census.

The survey includes the following questions concerning online mental health related information search and help seeking: In the past 12 months, did you ever look for information related to mental health on the Internet? In the past 12 months, did you ever seek help from forums or chatrooms on the Internet for emotional or mental distress? Why do you choose to seek help from forums or chatrooms on the Internet for emotional or mental distress? Mental health is assessed using the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10).

Multiple logistic regressions are applied in the analysis. Consulting the Internet for mental health related information and participating in Internet forums or chatrooms are the dependent variables. Psychological distress, demographic characteristics, socio-economic status, and migration-residency status are included as independent variables.

Results: About 20% of respondents have ever searched mental health related information on the Internet and 7% participated in Internet forums or chatrooms. Younger and more educated respondents are more likely to consult the Internet and seek help there. Other than embarrassment and stigma associated with seeking help through professional or informal means, the respondents also mention the flexibility of time, no constraint in location, and little or no charge as the advantages of seeking help from the Internet.

Conclusions and Implications: The findings of this study are valuable for mental health practitioners, who can employ the Internet as an alternative means of service provision to reach the target group and ensure that accurate and useful information is being disseminated.