Although prevalence of child and adolescent mental health disorders range from 9 to 19%, only one in five of those diagnosed receive treatment. Ethnic minorities receive services at a rate lower than the rate reported for the general population. The purpose of this study is to determine factors that contribute to differences in utilization of mental health services between African American and white children as reported by clinicians providing services. The following questions were posed for this research: 1. What system barriers are reported by mental health clinicians? 2. How do barriers reported by mental health clinicians compare to those reported by children and parents? 3. What factors are associated with positive and negative treatment outcomes?
Participants completed a face-to-face interview lasting approximately one hour. The questionnaire used in the study was an adaptation of the Child and Adolescent Barriers Assessment (CASA)(Burns, et.al, 1996). Demographic characteristics of mental health providers will be reported (age range, gender, ethnicity, educational preparation and number of years working with children). Other findings will include a comparison of clinician reported barriers with parent and child reported barriers to mental health service utilization. Implications for advanced practice psychiatric nurses who are among the mental health clinicians providing services to children and adolescents will be discussed. Recognizing and calling attention to factors that interfere with service utilization could be utilized to identify solutions to a problem that continues to plaque a significant segment of the population.
Learning Objectives: N/A
Keywords: Access and Services, Minority Health
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
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.