Public views on e-mental health services –a systematic review of the current evidence

Abstract

Background: Considering both the Internet becoming a common mental health advisor and the unmet needs among various European mental health populations due to limited care resources, lacking health literacy or stigmatised beliefs, e-mental health services are suggested as appropriate option to improve the access to professional help. To overcome such barriers, however, knowledge about users´ preferences predicting the acceptability and perceived helpfulness of online self-help is required. Therefore, this review aims to determine the evidence on attitudes toward e-mental-health in the general population. Methods: A systematic search through Medline, PsycINFO and Cochrane Library was carried out, including research papers published in peer-reviewed journals between 2010 and 2015. Inclusion criteria contained studies focussing on preferences and attitudes toward e-mental health among adults. Clinical trials or surveys on the views of providers, participants in an intervention (e.g. clients) or specific risk groups were excluded. Findings: From the 63 results identified in electronic databases, four papers met the inclusion criteria. Sample sizes ranged from N=217 to 2.411. Data mainly stem from Canada, Australia and Austria, respectively Germany. Methodology varied across the studies. Overall, results indicated type-specific differences for preferences. Despite the low likelihood of e-mental health use in the future observed in most samples, health literacy and e-awareness tended to be associated with positive attitudes. Conclusions: Currently, the evidence on users´ preferences and attitudes toward e-mental health services remains scarce. Due to the limited research available, and methodological issues, further research is recommended in order to enable informed decisions.