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Table 1 Relevant aspects of the factors of the help-system for the model's four trajectories

From: Social influences on mental health help-seeking after interpersonal traumatization: a qualitative analysis

Trajectory

Respondents' descriptions

traumatized

professionals

  

%

N

%

N

1. Trajectory: Traumatization to problem perception

Knowledge about traumatization; lack of time, care or sensitivity

It didn't even occur to the physicians and therapists with whom I dealt with that anything like a traumatization exists, even though I touched on the subject several times. [...] It would be helpful, if as many people as possible - especially in the mental health field - would know what effect traumatization has and would be sensitized for this problem [...] (T30)

7,0

3

12,5

2

2. Trajectory: Problem perception to wish for treatment

Long waiting times; negative experiences with the help-system versus profiles of help agencies, which give clear information about the target group, about its offers, staff, and access to the service and a more proactive approach.

All my prior therapists [...] always wanted to find problems in my childhood which did not exist or spread nonsense l[...] How is one supposed to build up trust given that. Next week I take up therapy for the last time, if they talk with me again as if I was retarded, then there's no point in that. (T35)

18,6

8

25

4

3. Trajectory: Wish for treatment to treatment intention

Tight schedule; long waiting times; lack of information versus low threshold services; exemption from charges, easy to reach, promptly available and proactive.

It is hell to "just" tell somebody about it - in the 5 minutes a general practicioner dedicates for a patient. (T1)

18,6

8

31,25

5

4. Trajectory: Treatment intention to help-seeking

Shortage of resources; difficult access to services due to formalities; lack of offerings for specific problems; insufficient knowledge about or sensitivity to the problem; minimization of the problem; lack of referral and networking; little (pro)active support

There are vanishingly few offers of help, the waiting time is unreasonablely long. (P15) My past experience showed that traumata were preferably trivialized [by professionals]. (P7)

39,5

17

68,75

11

  1. Each respondent mentioning an influencing variable was counted once, even if his/her statements regarding the variable addressed different aspects