AUTHOR=Makowski Anna C., Härter Martin C., Schomerus Georg , von dem Knesebeck Olaf 

TITLE=What Does the Public Know About Varying Depression Severity?–Results of a Population Survey

JOURNAL=International Journal of Public Health

VOLUME=Volume 66 - 2021

YEAR=2021

URL=https://www.ssph-journal.org/journals/international-journal-of-public-health/articles/10.3389/ijph.2021.607794

DOI=10.3389/ijph.2021.607794

ISSN=1661-8564

ABSTRACT=Objectives 
Depression literacy relates to knowledge and beliefs about recognition, management, and prevention of the disorder. Knowledge gaps can lead to delay in help-seeking or low treatment adherence. Evidence-based recommendations for depression care are based on different degrees of severity. Currently, nothing is known about the public’s knowledge about varying severity of depression.
Methods
Data stem from a telephone survey in Germany. A total of 1,009 persons participated, response rate was 46.8%. A case story was presented with signs of mild, moderate or severe depression. Participants were asked what they think the person has (diagnosis), which persons and services are helpful and how effective different treatment options are. Differences between groups (three case stories) were tested with 95% confidence intervals and χ2- tests in R. 
Results
55.3 % of the respondents identified depression as diagnosis, only very few named a specific severity degree. Participants who heard the vignette with moderate symptomatology recognized depression more often. Across groups, a general practitioner was named most frequently concerning helpful persons/services. Effectiveness of psychotherapy received high levels of approval, online therapy and books were less often rated as effective. There were only few significant differences between the three groups.
Conclusion
This is the first study examining public depression literacy for different severity levels. Small differences between groups indicate a lack of knowledge, which may have adverse consequences for adherence to treatment, especially for mild depression.