“Why don’t They Seek Help?” A Qualitative Study of Barriers and Motivators to Insomnia Treatment Among Youth

OBJECTIVES: Insomnia is common in youth, yet they often do not seek help or treatment for their sleep problem. Limited research has explored the barriers and facilitators to seeking care for insomnia in this population. This qualitative study aimed to explore youths' experiences of seeking help for sleep problems. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were conducted in 38 youths (15-20 years) with insomnia disorder who had sought help for an intervention program for insomnia. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using thematic analysis. RESULTS: Factors hindering the motivation to seek professional care for insomnia included concerns about the side effects of medication, culture, low perceived need, and structural barriers such as cost, accessibility to care, and competing priorities. Motivations for joining the intervention program included the expectations of benefits, treatment characteristics, self-awareness of the symptoms, and structural/contextual factors, such as time availability, free and convenient access, and the presence of tangible incentives. CONCLUSIONS: It is recommended that psychoeducation and promotion of sleep health are needed to enhance awareness and understanding of insomnia in youths and their parents. School-based programs or low-cost interventions focusing on sleep problems may help address structural barriers to seeking help for insomnia in youths.