[Cultural Influence on Attitude towards Psychotherapy - A Comparison of Individuals of Turkish Origin with Individuals without Migration Background].

AIM The present study compares the attitude towards psychotherapy of persons living in Germany with or without Turkish background. In this context, gender-related, disorder-specific and sociodemographic differences in openness towards psychotherapy are taken into account. METHODS Individuals of Turkish origin (n=129) and individuals without migration background (n=129) were interviewed with the Questionnaire on Attitudes towards Psychotherapeutic Treatment, the Social Support Questionnaire, a short version of the Symptom-Checklist with the subscales anxiety, depression and somatization, and a sociodemographic questionnaire. RESULTS The attitude towards psychotherapy is less positive in Turkish migrants than in people without migration background. Females, depressive individuals, persons with high social support, with children and a high level of education are more open towards psychotherapy. DISCUSSION The attitude towards psychotherapy is influenced by gender, socio-demographic and disorder-specific factors and in particular by cultural factors. CONCLUSION These results elucidate the need for better information about psychotherapy and the development of intercultural consulting services for migrants in Germany.