Determinants of ambulatory mental health services use for school-age children and adolescents.
Year: 1996
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To analyze a comprehensive multivariate model of the use of mental health-related ambulatory care services by children ages 6-17. STUDY SETTING: The 1987 National Medical Expenditure Survey, a national probability sample of the U.S. civilian noninstitutionalized population. STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional survey of a national probability sample of the U.S. population. Key independent variables include person-level mental health status, health care coverage, family income, and use of mental health services by other family members. DATA COLLECTION: Four in-person interviews were conducted during 1987 using structured questionnaires. A designated family respondent was used to answer questions for other family members, including children. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Children with poor mental health in high-income families were more than three times as likely to have a mental health-related visit than children with poor mental health in low-income families. The number of mental health-related visits and the likelihood of seeing a mental health specialist also increased along with family income. Mental health use by other family members was strongly associated with use. CONCLUSIONS: The results from this study provide strong evidence that the socioeconomic status of children is an important factor in explaining unmet need for mental health services.
Source: Europe PMC (PubMed Central)
Authors: P J Cunningham, M P Freiman
Institution: Center for Studying Health System Change
Language: English
Subfield: Social Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W1419085452