Table 1 Characteristics of studies included in the systematic review

Anderson et al., 2017 [19]

Australia

Cross sectional. (Survey)

community-dwelling older people in residential care units

105

69.2% females

30.8% males

(79.4, 7.1)

Anxiety

81.80% reported that they would seek help if they suspected they were experiencing anxiety

60% would request help from their primary care physician

About half of the participants (47.00%) reported concerns about various aspects of seeking help for anxiety

Worries about the cost, privacy, diagnosis, anticipating negative perceptions and judgment from others (even health professionals), doubts about GPs' capacity to manage anxiety, concerns about medication consumption, and lack of knowledge with the process were among them

Chai et al., 2021[16]

Malaysia

Cross sectional- in person survey

Elderly patients at a primary care clinic

273

Male 47.6% Female 52.6%

(69.9, 6.9)

Depression

8.8% (n = 24) sought help from professionals

32.1% (n = 9) of respondents who were diagnosed as depressed using the PHQ-9 (n = 28) had plans to seek professional care for their depression

With an adjusted odds ratio (OR) of 3.45 and a 95% confidence interval (CI) of 1.41 to 8.48, prior experience seeking professional help was related with an increased likelihood of requesting treatment

Respondents with secondary education had an adjusted OR of 3.10 and a 95% CI of 1.01 to 9.53, while those with tertiary education had an adjusted OR of 4.66 and a 95% CI of 1.08 to 20.04, compared to those with no formal education

Brenes et al., 2015 [14]

USA

Cross sectional- (telephone screening)

Older adults living in rural communities

478

Women 77.4% Men 22.6%

(68.4, 7.1)

Anxiety / depression

75.3% (n = 360) reported that they needed help with anxiety or depression in the last year

80.1% of respondents believed they "should not need help," whereas 41.9% distrusted mental health experts and 41.2% did not want to discuss personal concerns with a stranger

Furthermore, 40.0% did not believe that treatment would be beneficial. Cost (58.4%) and not knowing where to go (49.6%) were also mentioned as practical constraints

Embarrassment (39.8%) and anxiety about others' opinions (39.8%) were among the stigma-related barriers

The results revealed a negative relationship between age and the number of reported barriers, with a coefficient (standard error) of -0.06 (0.02), t-value of -2.96, and p-value less than 0.01. Worry severity, on the other hand, was connected with the number of reported barriers, with a coefficient (standard error) of 0.09 (0.02), t-value of 3.98, and p-value less than 0.0001

Blais et al., 2015 [13]

USA

Cross sectional- Secondary data analysis from a previously conducted study (National Health and Resilience in Veterans Study)

Older U.S. veterans

2,025

Male 97% Female 3%

(71, 7.1)

Depression, anxiety, PTSD

16% (n = 332)

Of the full sample of veterans (distressed and un distressed) reported that they have utilized mental health treatment

6% (n = 130)

Of the full sample of veterans reported that they are currently utilizing mental health treatment

In a multivariate model, the use of mental health treatments among distressed veterans was found to be negatively linked with increasing age

Nevertheless, only current suicidal ideation remained independently linked with usage in the same model. Also, in multivariable analyses, unfavorable perceptions about mental health care were negatively connected with service utilization among distressed veterans

Sorkin et al., 2016 [7]

USA

Cross sectional- secondary data from 2007, 2009, 2011–12, and 2013–14 California Health Interview Survey (CHIS)

Older adults

93,938

Female 54.8%

Male 45.1%

Range of means: (64.6 – 67.4)

anxiety, severe cognitive impairment, depression

NR

When compared to non-Hispanic Whites (NHWs), Asian and Pacific Islanders (APIs) and Blacks were much more likely to report worries about someone finding out as a reason for not seeking treatment

Furthermore, API and Hispanic respondents were more likely than NHW respondents to report concern with speaking with a professional as a reason for avoiding seeking therapy

Holvast et al., 2012 [17]

Netherlands

Cross sectional- secondary data from the Netherlands Study of Depression in Older persons (NESDO) and the Netherlands Study of Depression and Anxiety (NESDA)

Older persons/primary care practices

167

Males: 35.3% Females: 64.7%

Weighted mean: 61.9

Range: (55–87)

Depression

70% (n = 117) of respondents reported having contact with an individual regarding psychological concerns in the preceding 6 months

People who were born in the Netherlands, and individuals who felt less lonely, and those who had a greater household income had a higher chance of receiving mental health care as they aged

Sorkin et al., 2011 [15]

USA

Cross sectional- data collected from the California Health Interview Survey

population- based sample of Asian American older adults

1,606

Males: (44.3%) Females: (55.7%)

Range of means:

(64.6–71.3)

Psychological distress

Korean (1.6%), Japanese (1.0%), and Chinese (1.0%) older adults also were significantly less likely to see their primary care physician compared to non-Hispanic whites (6.5%). Similar results for other mental health professionals

Filipino Americans and Korean Americans had more than twice the likelihood of experiencing symptoms of mental distress as compared to non-Hispanic Whites

Yet, they were less likely to have taken prescription medication or seen a primary care practitioner

In comparison to non-Hispanic Whites, Japanese Americans were less likely to report symptoms of mental distress and less likely to use mental health services

Pérez-Zepeda et at., 2013 [18]

Mexico

Cross sectional

community dwelling elderly belonging to the largest health and social security system in Mexico

2,322

Males: 32.86% Females: 67.14%

(73.18, 7.02)

Depression

57.92% (n = 1345)

reported depressive symptoms in the last year

Out of those who reported depressive symptoms only 25% (n = 337) did seek help

Women and people who believe depression is not a disease are less likely to seek mental health treatment

Education level and recent usage of the healthcare system, on the other hand, were shown to be characteristics that assisted the receipt of specialized mental health care