Native Hawaiian women's experiences with and viewpoints of depression and associated help-seeking behaviors

Background. The literature on depression and help-seeking among Native Hawaiian (NH) women is scarce despite research suggesting that NH women are at-risk for depression. Objective. To explore NH women's experiences with and viewpoints of depression and associated help-seeking behaviors. Methods. In 2009, interviews, the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Short Depression Scale (CES-D), and a health services questionnaire were conducted with 30 NH women aged 18 years old or older: 10 from universities in O‘ahu County and Hawai‘i County (university sample), and 20 from a Hawaiian Homestead Community (community sample). A CES-D score of ≥16 classified depression. The participants were asked whether they have feelings of sadness/depression, and what they would like to do about those feelings. Results. The proportion of women who reported depression in the interviews was higher (university- 60%; community- 65%) compared to the CES-D data (university- 0%; community- 40%). Quantitative data revealed that approximately two out of five women reported ever receiving professional and/or self-help mental health care. Depending on the type of professional care received, there was a range of high levels of satisfaction (very satisfied or satisfied) reported (60-86%); in contrast, the range of high levels of satisfaction for women who received care from their spiritual/religious advisor/folk healer was higher (80-100%). During the interviews, one woman reported that they are currently receiving professional care and five women are seeking help from their family/social network. Conclusion. Future research should explore reasons for mental health services underutilization and ways to improve satisfaction with mental health services.