INVESTIGATING PARENTS’ RECOGNITION OF THE NEED FOR ADOLESCENT MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES IN REMOTE AREAS
Downloads
Introduction: The prevalence of depression among children under 15 in Kulon Progo Regency reaches 6%, while emotional and mental disorders affect 8%, with only 9% of affected individuals receiving adequate treatment. Parental behaviour influences the utilisation of mental health services for adolescents, shaping how service needs are assessed. Limited mental health resources and negative parental attitudes further exacerbate adolescent mental health conditions. Aims: This study aims to evaluate parental attitudes toward access to mental health services for adolescents. Method: Using a cross-sectional design, a total of 107 biological parents of adolescents aged 10 to 24 years were selected using purposive sampling. Result: This study finds that perceived severity, perceived threat, and cues to action significantly influence parental behaviour in seeking mental health services (p < 0.05). While 57% of parents reported inappropriate use of services and perceived no benefits from them, 51.4% acknowledged no access barriers. However, only 49.5% demonstrated strong self-efficacy, and 53.3% failed to take timely action. Conclusion: The findings underscore the need for interventions that equip parents with practical knowledge and skills to obtain appropriate mental health services for their adolescent.
Alonso, J. and Emma Little, 2019. Parent Help-Seeking Behaviour: Examining the Impact of Parent Beliefs on Professional Help-Seeking for Child Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties. The Educational and Developmental Psychologist, 36(2), pp.60–67. https://doi.org/10.1017/edp.2019.8
Amy N. Mendenhall and Frauenholtz, S., 2015. Predictors of mental health literacy among parents of youth diagnosed with mood disorders. Child and Family Social Work, [online] 20(3), pp.300–209. https://doi.org/10.1111/cfs.12078
B.H.Yap, M., Morgan, A.J., Cairns, K., Jorm, A.F., Hetrick, S. and Merry, S., 2016. Parents in prevention: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials of parenting interventions to prevent internalizing problems in children from birth to age 18. Clinical Psychology Review, [online] 50, pp.138–158. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2016.10.003
Breslin, G., Shannon, S., Prentice, G., Rosato, M. and Leavey, G., 2022. Adolescent Mental Health Help-Seeking from Family and Doctors: Applying the Theory of Planned Behaviour to the Northern Ireland Schools and Wellbeing Study. Child Care in Practice, [online] 28(4), pp.522–535. https://doi.org/10.1080/13575279.2021.1918639
Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS), 2024. Indonesian Health Survey (IHS) 2023 on Numbers. [online] Health Development Policy Agency, Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia. Jakarta.
Dardas, L.A., Water, B. van de and Simmons, L.A., 2018. Parental involvement in adolescent depression interventions: A systematic review of randomized clinical trials. International Journal of Mental Health Nursing, [online] 27(2), pp.555–570. https://doi.org/10.1111/inm.12429
Drent, H.M., van den Hoofdakker, B., Buitelaar, J.K., Hoekstra, P.J. and Dietrich, A., 2022. Factors Related to Perceived Stigma in Parents of Children and Adolescents in Outpatient Mental Healthcare. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(19). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191912767
Eigenhuis, E., Waumans, R.C., Muntingh, A.D.T., Westerman, M.J., van Meijel, M., Batelaan, N.M. and van Balkom, A.J.L.M., 2021. Facilitating factors and barriers in help-seeking behaviour in adolescents and young adults with depressive symptoms: A qualitative study. PLoS ONE, [online] 16(3 March 2021), pp.1–20. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0247516
Ellenbogen, S., Power, K.B., Hair, H.J., Kirkland Smith, J. and Hynes Brothers, K., 2024. Contrasting the Treatment-Related Perceptions of Parents and Their Children: Using Data from Child and Adolescent Brief Mental Health Services Recipients in Canada. European Journal of Mental Health, 19, pp.1–14. https://doi.org/10.5708/EJMH.19.2024.0020
Finnerty, S., 2023. Independent Review of the provision of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) in the State by the Inspector of Mental Health Services July 2023 Promoting Quality, Safety and Human Rights in Mental Health Recommendations.
Glatz, T. and Buchanan, C.M., 2015. Over-time associations among parental self-efficacy, promotive parenting practices, and adolescents’ externalizing behaviors. Journal of Family Psychology, 29(3), pp.427–437. https://doi.org/10.1037/fam0000076
Gondek, D., Edbrooke-Childs, J., Velikonja, T., Chapman, L., Saunders, F., Hayes, D. and Wolpert, M., 2017. Facilitators and Barriers to Person-centred Care in Child and Young People Mental Health Services: A Systematic Review. Clin Psychol Psychother, 24(4), pp.870–886. https://doi.org/10.1002/cpp.2052.
Gudka, R., Kelman, C., Bryant, E., Farooq, B., Berry, V., Bjornstad, G., Martin, F., Glover, S. Lou and Russell, A., 2023. Parent-carer experiences using a peer support network: a qualitative study. BMC Public Health, [online] 23(1), pp.1–14. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-023-16666-9
Hansen, A.S., Telléus, G.K., Mohr-Jensen, C. and Lauritsen, M.B., 2021. Parent-perceived barriers to accessing services for their child’s mental health problems. Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health, [online] 15(1), pp.1–11. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13034-021-00357-7
Hartati, S., Lutiyah, L. and Hadiansyah, T., 2022. Parental Health Education Regarding Covid-19 and Its Impact on Adolescent Mental Health. Jurnal Ilmu Keperawatan Anak, 5(1), pp.59–64. https://doi.org/10.32584/jika.v5i1.1449
Hassett, A., Green, C. and Zundel, T., 2018. Parental Involvement: A Grounded Theory of the Role of Parents in Adolescent Help Seeking for Mental Health Problems. SAGE Open, 8(4), pp.1–15. https://doi.org/10.1177/2158244018807786
Health Office of The Special Region of Yogyakarta, 2024. Orientation on Screening and Intervention of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Screening Outcomes by Cadres and Counselling Officers for Mental Health Managers in Districts and Cities. [online] Health Office of The Special Region of Yogyakarta.
Honey, A., Fraser, V., Llewellyn, G., Hazell, P. and Clarke, S., 2013. Parental influence on the mental health-related behaviour of young people with mental illness: Young people’s perceptions. Advances in Mental Health, 12(1), pp.63–74. https://doi.org/10.5172/jamh.2013.12.1.63
Horwitz, S.M., Demeter, C., Hayden, M., Storfer-Isser, A., Frazier, T.W., Fristad, M.A., Arnold, L.E., Youngstrom, E.A., Birmaher, B., Axelson, D. and Findling, R.L., 2013. Parents’ Perceptions of Benefit of Children’s Mental Health Treatment and Continued Use of Services. Psychiatr Serv., 63(8), pp.793–801. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ps.201100460a
Hsieh, Y.P., Wu, C.F., Chou, W.J. and Yen, C.F., 2020. Multidimensional correlates of parental self-efficacy in managing adolescent internet use among parents of adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(16), pp.1–13. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17165768.
Isni, K., Fitri, M., Jatmika, S.E.D., De Leon, J.M.G., Qomariyah, N., Sulistyawati, S. and Rachmayanti, R.D., 2024a. The implementation of adolescent mental health services: opportunities and challenges. International Journal of Public Health Science (IJPHS), 13(2), p.810. https://doi.org/10.11591/ijphs.v13i2.23597
Isni, K., Lugiana, N.A., Trisnowati, H., Santri, N. and Qomariyah, N., 2024b. How Can Adolescents Get Mental Health Services Without the Availability of Professionals ? A Lesson Learned from Rural Primary Health Care. 12(1), pp.133–145. https://doi.org/10.20473/jpk.V12.ISI1.2024.133-145
Isni, K., Nisa, K., Nurfatona, W.Y. and Santri, I.N., 2024c. Association Between Adolescents Perceived for Behaviour In Accessing Mental Health Services. Kemas, 19(4), pp.490–498. https://doi.org/10.15294/kemas.v19i4.44758
Johnston, O.G. and Burke, J.D., 2020. Parental Problem Recognition and Help-Seeking for Disruptive Behavior Disorders. Journal of Behavioral Health Services and Research, 47(1), pp.146–163. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11414-018-09648-y
Jones, T.L. and Prinz, R.J., 2005. Potential roles of parental self-efficacy in parent and child adjustment: a review. Clin Psychol Rev, [online] 25(3), pp.341–63. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2004.12.004
Kaligis, F., Ismail, R.I., Wiguna, T., Prasetyo, S., Indriatmi, W., Gunardi, H., Pandia, V. and Magdalena, C.C., 2021. Mental Health Problems and Needs among Transitional-Age Youth in Indonesia. International Journal Of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(8), p.4046. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18084046
Kulon Progo Regency Government, n.d. Mental Disorders in Kulon Progo Highest in The Special Region of Yogyakarta. [online] Kulon Progo Regency Government.
Ministry of Health Republic of Indonesia, 2023. Indonesia Health Survey 2023. [online] Jakarta.
Moen, Ø.L. and Hall-Lord, M.L., 2019. Adolescents’ mental health, help seeking and service use and parents’ perception of family functioning. Nordic Journal of Nursing Research, 39(1), pp.1–8. https://doi.org/10.1177/2057158518764036
Moen, Ø.L., Hall-Lord, M.L. and Hedelin, B., 2014. Living in a family with a child with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: a phenomenographic study. J Clin Nurs, 23(21–22), pp.3166–76. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocn.12559.
Mubeen, Z., Fatmi, Z., Hameed, W. and Asim, M., 2024. Barriers and facilitators to accessing adolescents’ mental health services in Karachi: users and providers perspectives. BMC Health Services Research, 24(1), pp.1–11. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-024-10593-0
Nesi, J., Burke, T.A., Bettis, A.H., Kudinova, A.Y., Thompson, E.C., Macpherson, H.A., Fox, K.A., Lawrence, H.R., Thomas, S.A., Wolff, J.C., Altemus, M.K., Soriano, S. and Richard, T., 2022. Social Media Use and Self-Injurious Thoughts and Behaviors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Clin Psychol Rev, 87(102038), pp.1–36. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2021.102038
Nic Dhonnacha, S., Kerr, L., McCague, Y. and Cawley, D., 2024. Parents’ Experiences of Accessing Mental Health Services for Their Adolescents With Mental Health Challenges: A Scoping Review. Journal of Clinical Nursing, pp.4602–4617. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocn.17469
Park, S. and Oh, S., 2023. The relationships of perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, and subjective norms with COVID-19 preventive behaviors: a secondary data analysis comparing adolescents and emerging adults in South Korea. Child Health Nursing Research, 29(2), pp.149–160. https://doi.org/10.4094/chnr.2023.29.2.149
Platell, M., Cook, A. and Martin, K., 2023. How parents can help or hinder access to mental health services for young people. Children and Youth Services Review, [online] 145. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2022.106760
Qin, Y., Wu, D., Liu, J., Peng, J. and Li, C., 2023. Perspectives of parents of adolescents with repeated non-suicidal self-injury on sharing their caretaking experiences with peers: a qualitative study. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 14(December), pp.1–10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1237436.
Radez, J., Reardon, T., Creswell, C., Orchard, F. and Waite, P., 2021. Adolescents’ perceived barriers and facilitators to seeking and accessing professional help for anxiety and depressive disorders: a qualitative interview study. European Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. [online] https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-020-01707-0
Radovic, A., Reynolds, K., McCauley, H.L., Sucato, G.S., Stein, B.D. and Miller, E., 2015. Parents’ Role in Adolescent Depression Care: Primary Care Provider Perspective. The Journal of Pedriatrics, [online] 167(4), pp.911–918. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpeds.2015.05.049
Reardon, T., Harvey, K. and Creswell, C., 2020. Seeking and accessing professional support for child anxiety in a community sample. European Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, [online] 29(5), pp.649–664. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-019-01388-4
Reardon, T., Harvey, K., Young, B., O’Brien, D. and Creswell, C., 2018. Barriers and facilitators to parents seeking and accessing professional support for anxiety disorders in children: qualitative interview study. European Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, [online] 27(8), pp.1023–1031. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-018-1107-2
Russell, A.E., Curtin, E., Widnall, E., Dodd, S., Limmer, M., Simmonds, R. and Kidger, J., 2023. Assessing the Feasibility of a Peer Education Project to Improve Mental Health Literacy in Adolescents in the UK. Community Mental Health Journal, [online] 59(4), pp.784–796. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-022-01059-w
Ryan, S.M., Jorm, A.F., Toumbourou, J.W. and Lubman, D.I., 2015. Parent and family factors associated with service use by young people with mental health problems: a systematic review. Early Interv Psychiatry., 9(6), pp.433–446. https://doi.org/10.1111/eip.12211
Schnyder, N., Lawrence, D., Panczak, R., Sawyer, M.G., Whiteford, H.A., Burgess, P.M. and Harris, M.G., 2019. Perceived need and barriers to adolescent mental health care: Agreement between adolescents and their parents. Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences, 29(e60). https://doi.org/10.1017/S2045796019000568
Spínola, L.G., Calaboiça, C. and Carvalho, I.P., 2024. The use of social networking sites and its association with non-suicidal self-injury among children and adolescents: A systematic review. Journal of Affective Disorders Reports, 16(March). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadr.2024.100781
Suryaputri, I.Y., Mubasyiroh, R., Idaiani, S. and Indrawati, L., 2022. Determinants of Depression in Indonesian Youth: Findings from a Community-based Survey. Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, 55(1), pp.88–97. https://doi.org/10.3961/jpmph.21.113
Townsend, M.L., Matthews, E.L., Miller, C.E. and Grenyer, B.F., 2023. Adolescent self-harm: Parents’ experiences of supporting their child and help-seeking. J Child Health Care, 27(4), pp.516–530. https://doi.org/10.1177/13674935211062334
Townsend, M.L., Miller, C.E., Matthews, E.L. and Grenyer, B.F.S., 2021. Parental response style to adolescent self-harm: Psychological, social and functional impacts. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(24). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182413407
Wahdi, A.E., Wilopo, S.A. and Erskine, H.E., 2023. The Prevalence of Adolescent Mental Disorders in Indonesia: An Analysis of Indonesia – National Mental Health Survey (I-NAMHS). Journal of Adolescent Health, [online] 72(3), p.S70. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2022.11.143
World Health Organization (WHO), 2020. World Mental Health Day: an opportunity to kick-start a massive scale-up in investment in mental health. [online] World Health Organization (WHO).
Copyright (c) 2025 The Indonesian Journal of Public Health

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
- The authors agree to transfer the transfer copyright of the article to The Indonesian Journal of Public Health effective if and when the paper is accepted for publication.
- Authors and other parties are bound to the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License for the published articles, legal formal aspect of journal publication accessibility refers to Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-SA), implies that:
- Attribution ” You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use.
- NonCommercial ” You may not use the material for commercial purposes.
- ShareAlike ” If you remix, transform, or build upon the material, you must distribute your contributions under the same license as the original.