Chia-Hsuan Chiang
Deparment of Clinical Psychology, Fu Jen Catholic University
Shen-Ing Liu
Deaprtment of Psychiatry, Mackay Memorial Hospital
Zai-Ting Yeh
Deparment of Clinical Psychology, Fu Jen Catholic University
The pathology of chronic insomnia disorder shows that psychosocial factors play an important role. However, non-pharmacologic interventions such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBTi) are seldom used in Taiwan. The purpose of this study was to explore the reasons why insomnia patients seldom use these interventions and their attitudes toward them. Fifty-five participants were recruited. All of them completed questionnaires wich were followed by a semi-structured interview. Results show that “a lack of knowledge regarding chronic insomnia and available treatment options” are the most commonly mentioned reasons. Other reasons include percieved stigma surrounding insomnia, the difficulties of following non-pharmacologic suggestions given by physicians, and a lack of opportunity to establish meaningful relationships with other medical professionals (such as clinical psychologists or therapists). At the time of the study, none of the participants had any knowledge of CBTi, and only 27.3% participants said they would want to use it after learning more about it. Reasons why patients drop out of nonpharmacologic interventions still need to be further explored.
Keywords: barriers to intervention-seeking, chronic insomnia, cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia, non-pharmacological interventions