Examination of factors contributing to help-seeking behavior in accessing psychosocial support services among Japanese cancer patients: An application of the segmentation approach

Objective: Various psychosocial support services for cancer patients are available in Japan; however, their utilization rate is low. The present study aimed to examine factors contributing to help-seeking behavior in the use of psychosocial support services among cancer outpatients at three stages: Precontemplation (without adjustment disorder or major depression), Precontemplation (with adjustment disorder or major depression), and Contemplation. Methods: We conducted a web-based questionnaire survey at two points with a panel of cancer outpatients. We collected data on demographic information, physical status, the use of and intention to use psychosocial support services, psychological distress, attitude toward using psychosocial support services for cancer patients, and social support. Results: In total, 395 cancer patients were analyzed. In the Precontemplation (without adjustment disorder or major depression) stage, resistance to help-seeking (OR = 0.726, P =.011) and future prospects of the Brief Cancer-Related Worry Inventory (OR = 1.012, P =.019) were significant. In the Precontemplation (with adjustment disorder or major depression) stage, only recommendation by medical staff or family (OR = 0.000, P =.026) had a significant effect. In the Contemplation stage, only social and interpersonal problems (OR = 0.942, P =.080) showed a significant (negative) trend. Conclusions: This study showed that contributing factors differed by stage. To encourage the use of psychosocial support services, it is desirable to recommend the use and to develop interventions for promoting, with responding to patients' conditions and intentions rather than responding to everyone in the same way.