My teammates and I are working on a project for a Psychology of Social Change course with Prof. Ronald Harvey at the American University in Bulgaria. We are currently focused on a social problem that concerns mental health. We were thinking of exploring why people do not seek outside/professional help when needed. Our focus is Bulgaria, but we think that in the Balkan region, the case is similar. What we believe is the most 'troublesome' group is older men. In Bulgaria, the older generation does not seem to accept well the idea of going to therapy. This might be because of fear of shame. They tend to keep the problems to themselves, and/or friends and family. We currently haven't found any scholarly sources on this issue. Do you think you could maybe forward us some sources and studies that contain interesting information about the case?
Thank you in advance!
Best regards,
Viktoriya Ikonomova
Thanks for writing to us at the Community Tool Box with your important question.
It’s definitely worthwhile to investigate why some people are resistant to therapy, and to ask what might be the conditions under which people would be more accepting of therapy.
As you proceed, though, we think it will be useful for you to check your assumptions: Is it in fact true that older men are more resistant to therapy, either in Bulgaria or elsewhere? What is the factual evidence that supports this?
If you need or desire more evidence, can you talk to current mental health providers to learn more? What do they think? Do they know of previous studies that have been done on the topic in Bulgaria, or of previous surveys that have been taken? If not, would it be possible to design your own study, even though to carry it out might take longer than you have the time for in your class?
Also, is there a way you could test your hypothesis of shame as a cause of resistance, as vs. other factors?
In describing resistance, it may also help you to consider what is meant by “therapy.” Perhaps it does not have to be provided by trained professionals. For example, a recent example from Zimbabwe, in Africa, used ordinary grandmothers, who were trained to sit outside on ‘friendship benches” in their town and make themselves available to people who wanted to sit down and talk.
This seemed to be effective there. Was it “therapy?” Perhaps. If so, what might work for older men in Bulgaria? Maybe it might have to do with providing discussion opportunities in places where older men naturally go, such as bars, coffee shops, social clubs, or other gathering places. The needed work could take place within a discussion group, even though you might not label it as "therapy" as such. But it could accomplish the same purpose.
Some creativity might be called for. Would this be effective? It’s hard to say, but the idea could be tested. You might find other examples through your own literature search of the field.
We hope some of these thoughts may be helpful to you. All best wishes for success in your project work and beyond. And please say hello to Prof. Harvey!