Adolescent trust and primary care: Help-seeking for emotional and psychological difficulties

Dagmar Anna S Corry; Gerard Leavey

doi:10.1016/j.adolescence.2016.11.003

Adolescent trust and primary care: Help-seeking for emotional and psychological difficulties

J Adolesc. 2017 Jan:54:1-8. doi: 10.1016/j.adolescence.2016.11.003. Epub 2016 Nov 10.

Authors

Dagmar Anna S Corry¹, Gerard Leavey²

Affiliations

¹ The Bamford Centre for Mental Health and Wellbeing at Ulster University, Cromore Road, Coleraine, Co. Londonderry, BT52 1SA, Northern Ireland, UK. Electronic address: d.corry@ulster.ac.uk.
² The Bamford Centre for Mental Health and Wellbeing at Ulster University, Cromore Road, Coleraine, Co. Londonderry, BT52 1SA, Northern Ireland, UK. Electronic address: g.leavey@ulster.ac.uk.

PMID: 27838545
DOI: 10.1016/j.adolescence.2016.11.003

Abstract

Although a quarter of adolescents are likely to experience emotional and psychological difficulties, only a third of them will seek professional help. In this exploratory study we undertook focus groups with 54 adolescents between the ages of 13 and 16 in eight post-primary schools in Northern Ireland. Young people do not trust their GPs, perceiving them as strangers, impersonal and uncaring. The basis of distrust is different among males and females. The findings are discussed in light of adolescents' developmental challenges of identity formation and the consequent demand to be respected and taken seriously by adults.

Keywords: Adolescents; Emotional difficulties; GPs; Help-seeking; Self-esteem; Trust.

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Adult
Attitude to Health*
Cross-Sectional Studies
Female
Focus Groups
Help-Seeking Behavior*
Humans
Interviews as Topic
Male
Mental Disorders / therapy
Northern Ireland
Patient Acceptance of Health Care / psychology*
Physician-Patient Relations*
Primary Health Care / statistics & numerical data*
Qualitative Research
Trust / psychology*