ArticleFrontiers in public health2026
Family caregivers' willingness to use online psychological therapy for individuals with mental illness in China: a cross-sectional study.
Article in Frontiers in public health, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. An erratum has been issued. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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Corrections and comments
- Erratum issued
Authors and funding
11 authors.
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Abstract
Introduction: In China, family caregivers often serve as gatekeepers to mental health services, influencing whether patients initiate or continue treatment. Understanding their attitudes toward digital interventions is therefore critical for the successful implementation of online psychotherapy programs. Objectives: To exploratorily examine caregivers' willingness to support online psychotherapy, preferred delivery formats, and perceived benefits and barriers. Methods: A structured questionnaire was administered to 291 family caregivers recruited in psychiatric settings across multiple Chinese cities. The instrument assessed caregiver demographics, technology access, patient characteristics, and attitudes toward online psychotherapy, including willingness (0-100 visual analog scale), treatment preferences, perceived benefits and barriers and help-seeking stigma. Responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics, multiple linear regression, and deductive content categorization. Results: Caregivers reported moderate-to-high willingness (mean = 70.2 ± 26.7). The most preferred delivery format was therapist-guided individual online counseling (37.8%). The key perceived benefit was time savings, while unstable internet connectivity emerged as a primary barrier. Caregivers also favored brief treatment courses (≤10 sessions) and considered modest session fees (≤55.4 USD) acceptable. Multiple linear regression identified small-city residence ( Conclusion: Family caregivers in China are active decision-makers in mental health service utilization, not passive supporters. Their openness to online therapy is shaped by practical needs and confidence in clinician-led models. Caregivers in resource-scarce smaller cities show greater willingness, likely reflecting unmet local need, whereas female caregivers-who bear disproportionate care responsibilities-express more cautious attitudes. The modest explained variance highlights other influencing factors, necessitating further exploration. Successful digital mental health interventions must be co-designed with families, embedded in trusted healthcare institutions, and tailored to diverse socioeconomic contexts.
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