Abstract
Background: Delays in help-seeking for anxiety are common; however, earlier interventions improve long-term outcomes. This holds importance for high schizotypes since anxiety relates to psychotic symptom development. The study investigated whether schizotypal traits and anxiety itself influence help-seeking behaviour.
Methods: A non-clinical student sample (N = 800) completed the Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire, Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale and General Help-Seeking Questionnaire, vignette version online.
Results: Recognizing another's help need was associated with lower anxiety scores. A trend was observed between lower schizotypy scores and better recognition of self-need for help. Actual help-seekers (N = 163) had significantly higher schizotypy and anxiety scores than non-help-seekers.
Conclusion: Schizotypal traits independently contribute to delays in help-seeking for anxiety. Approaching informal help sources whom also have anxiety symptoms can delay formal help-seeking, unless they have sought help themselves.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1433-1436 |
| Number of pages | 4 |
| Journal | Early Intervention in Psychiatry |
| Volume | 15 |
| Issue number | 5 |
| Early online date | 26 Nov 2020 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Oct 2021 |
Keywords
- anxiety
- clinical staging models
- help-seeking
- schizotypy