Negative evaluations of psychological interventions, literacy and barriers in a non-clinical sample of Italian adults

A large number of people worldwide suffer from mental health problems that can affect their physical health, psychological well-being, and ability to form meaningful relationships with others. However, not everyone who suffers from mental health problems seeks psychological or psychotherapeutic support. The aim of the present study was to create a survey to investigate literacy, barriers to access, and negative evaluations of psychological and psychotherapeutic interventions. A series of 30 questions was asked to 1998 Italian adults from the general population (50.50% women, mean age = 41.38, SD = 16.54 years). The final version of our instrument is a 14-item self-report questionnaire consisting of 3 factors: literacy, negative evaluation of psychological and psychotherapeutic interventions, and barriers to access. Significant differences were found with respect to gender, age, income, educational level, previous psychological support, and interest in psychological support. Examining variables related to negative evaluations of psychological and psychotherapeutic support, literacy, and barriers to access may help in the development of interventions aimed at promoting mental health and mental disorder knowledge and help-seeking behavior in at-risk groups and the general population, increasing the use of health services, and improving mental health outcomes.