Exploring the Widening Trend in Racial and Ethnic Differences in Youth Mental Health Service Use.

IF 3.3 3区医学 Q1 HEALTH POLICY & SERVICES

Psychiatric services Pub Date : 2025-03-19 DOI:10.1176/appi.ps.20240334

Stephanie Rennane, Flora Sheng, Bradley D Stein, Andrew W Dick

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Objective: The authors examined trends in racial and ethnic disparities in youth mental health treatment for internalizing and externalizing conditions in the United States from 2002 to 2019.

Methods: Using data from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey-Household Component, the authors analyzed trends in mental health treatment between 2002 and 2019 for youths ages 5-21 years (N=139,242). Logistic regression models predicting treatment were adjusted for age and sex and also for health status, household income, insurance coverage, and geographic region.

Results: The treatment rate for internalizing conditions grew faster for White youths than for Hispanic or Black youths, and this difference tripled (from 1.6 to 5.4 percentage points) from 2002 to 2019. For externalizing conditions, the treatment rate grew twice as fast for White youths compared with Hispanic youths and 50% faster relative to Black youths. Uninsured status was significantly and negatively associated with treatment for externalizing conditions (b=-0.928, SE=0.342) but not internalizing conditions (b=-0.440, SE=0.317). Family income was most strongly linked to treatment among Hispanic youths. For internalizing conditions, adjustments for health, household income, insurance status, and region explained 18% of the treatment gap for Hispanic youths but only 6% of the gap for Black youths in 2016-2019.

Conclusions: These findings highlight widening racial and ethnic disparities in youth mental health treatment. The demographic and socioeconomic factors associated with these disparities varied by type of condition. Addressing socioeconomic determinants alone is insufficient to ensure equitable access to mental health services. Tailored approaches considering clinical, cultural, and societal needs are essential to mitigate treatment disparities.

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来源期刊

Psychiatric services 医学-公共卫生、环境卫生与职业卫生

CiteScore

5.80

自引率

7.90%

发文量

295

审稿时长

3-8 weeks

期刊介绍： Psychiatric Services, established in 1950, is published monthly by the American Psychiatric Association. The peer-reviewed journal features research reports on issues related to the delivery of mental health services, especially for people with serious mental illness in community-based treatment programs. Long known as an interdisciplinary journal, Psychiatric Services recognizes that provision of high-quality care involves collaboration among a variety of professionals, frequently working as a team. Authors of research reports published in the journal include psychiatrists, psychologists, pharmacists, nurses, social workers, drug and alcohol treatment counselors, economists, policy analysts, and professionals in related systems such as criminal justice and welfare systems. In the mental health field, the current focus on patient-centered, recovery-oriented care and on dissemination of evidence-based practices is transforming service delivery systems at all levels. Research published in Psychiatric Services contributes to this transformation.