Recorded presentation

Nakia C. Brown, PhD, Community Prevention and Treatment Research, The MayaTech Corporation, 2751 Buford Highway, NE, Suite 202, Atlanta, GA 30324-5456, 404-264-2644, nbrown@mayatech.com, Cassandra Arroyo, PhD, Department of Medicine, Morehouse School of Medicine, 720 Westview Drive, SW, NCPC-315, Atlanta, GA 30310-1495, and Harold Neighbors, PhD, Center for Research on Ethnicity, Culture and Health, University of Michigan, School of Public Health, 109 S. Observatory, Ann Arbor, MI 48109.

While the effectiveness and availability of mental health treatment has increased over the past decade, the underutilization of these services persists. Further, previous research has not adequately articulated disparities in mental health service utilization (MHSU), but does suggest, however, that social stigma significantly contributes to these disparities. This study assessed sociodemographics both as predictors of and barriers to MHSU among adults in the 2001 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse. Regression analysis revealed that race/ethnicity, gender, age, education, and marital status were significant predictors of MHSU. Within the previous year, non-Hispanic blacks were 63% more likely than non-Hispanic whites to report inpatient treatment, 47% less likely to report outpatient treatment, and 53% less likely to report prescription medication use. Respondents who were women, 18 to 25 years, and had never been married were more likely than their counterparts to report MHSU of any type. College attendees were more likely than those without high school diplomas to report more inpatient treatment and prescription medication use, but less likely to report outpatient treatment. Results concerning sociodemographics as predictors of MHSU were more robust than barriers to MHSU. Gender was the only significant predictor of perceived social stigma as a barrier to MHSU. Women were 45% less likely than men to report social stigma as a barrier to MHSU. These findings suggest the need for additional research aimed at identifying the dynamics of help-seeking behaviors and the nature and consequence of stigma as it relates to MHSU.

Learning Objectives:

• At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to identify the magnitude and direction of the relationship between sociodemographics and mental health service utilization and identify the possible barriers to mental health service utilization as they relate to sociodemographics.

Keywords: Mental Health Services, Minorities

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Recorded presentation