Predictors of Mental Healthcare Need and Utilisation Among Asian American Adolescents With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.

Abstract

Background: Adolescence is a period of high risk for the onset of mental health disorders. In the general population, approximately one in five children and adolescents experience a mental health disorder each year. Various research has shown that Asian Americans have the lowest amount of mental healthcare utilisation among all minority groups in the United States, obtaining treatment at less than half the rate compared to other racial-ethnic groups. Past studies have found that Asian children with special healthcare needs (CSHCN) experience poorer quality healthcare compared to non-Hispanic Whites. However, little is known about mental healthcare needs and utilisation rates among Asian American adolescents with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD).

Method: Data were acquired from the 2016-2020 National Survey of Children's Health (NSCH), provided by the Data Resource Center for Child & Adolescent Health (www.childhealthdata.org). Linear models and logistic regression analysis were performed to investigate the intersection of race and I/DD, family and social determinants, parent-reported need for mental healthcare and, if needed, receipt of mental healthcare in Asian American adolescents with I/DD.

Results: Asian American, non-Hispanic children with I/DD had higher odds of needing mental healthcare compared to White American, non-Hispanic children with I/DD. Social determinants, particularly family structure, non-primary English households, poverty level and insurance adequacy, contribute to the decline in needing and obtaining mental healthcare for children with I/DD.

Conclusion: Adolescents with I/DD in the United States experience racial/ethnic disparities in mental healthcare. The findings from this suggest the need to investigate further into the intersection of race/ethnicity and I/DD in mental healthcare and the creation of policies that promote equitable access to mental healthcare services for adolescents with I/DD, especially for minority individuals.