Predictors of health service use within an Indigenous Australian sample for issues related to their mental health: An analysis from the Queensland Urban Indigenous Mental Health Survey.

Abstract

Objective: To explore the associations between sociodemographic and cultural predictors of health service use among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities (respectfully referred to as Indigenous Australians) in Southeast Queensland with mental health concerns.

Method: Queensland Urban Indigenous Mental Health Survey data was analysed to investigate predictors of health service use within an adult sample of Indigenous Australians who experienced (a) elevated psychological distress or (b) a mental disorder or harmful substance use. Sociodemographic, cultural, and mental health predictors were quantified. A series of logistic regression models were used to explore the association between predictors and health service use.

Results: For those with elevated psychological distress, male sex, greater self-perceived physical health, and larger social support networks were associated with decreased likelihood of health service access, while greater comorbidity and frequent experiences of racism were associated with increased likelihood. For those experiencing a mental disorder or harmful substance use, greater self-perceived physical health was associated with decreased likelihood of service access, while greater comorbidity was associated with increased likelihood. Age approached significance as a predictor of increased access. Service preference was not a statistically significant predictor in either group.

Conclusion: Differences in predictors between those with elevated psychological distress and those with mental disorders or harmful substance use underscore the importance of recognising the heterogeneity within Indigenous Australian populations and tailoring health service planning and delivery approaches accordingly for issues related to mental health.