Children with disabilities or chronic illnesses are at increased risk for psychological morbidity and many need mental health services. However, little research addresses this need in a U.S. population. This study estimates rates of use of mental health care and determinants of receiving such services among disabled children ages 5-17 years. Data are from a combined file of the 1994 and 1995 National Health Interview Surveys, Supplements on Disability (NHIS-D), which are annual cross-sectional household questionnaires conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics. Approximately 4,000 disabled children (ages 5-17) are reported on in this analysis, representing an estimated 6 million disabled children. Mothers reported on children's health, psychosocial problems, mental health services use, and who, if anyone, coordinated the child's medical care. Among disabled children with high psychosocial maladjustment, only 40% received mental health care services, suggesting that there are substantial barriers to these services. Regression analysis revealed that disabled children with mental health treatment needs were more likely to receive such services in the outpatient sector, and to avoid inpatient hospitalization, if their medical care was jointly coordinated by a family member and their physician. This was true even when other independent predictors of access to mental health care were controlled. Minority race and poverty status predicted lower levels of use. Results suggest how critical it is for providers to work with parents to coordinate the care of disabled children, many of whom need or will require mental health services.
Learning Objectives: 1.) Participants will better understand the association between child, maternal, and familial factors and the use of mental health care services across and within inpatient, outpatient, and special educational settings, among children and adolescents with disabilities. 2.) Participants will be to articulate the significant ports of entry into the mental health care system for children with disabilities. 3.) At the conclusion of the session, participants will be able to characterize the factors associated with access to needed mental health services and understand potential mechanisms for increasing access to mental health care for children with disabilities and mental health problems.
Keywords: Access to Care, Mental Health Services
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
Disclosure not received
Relationship: Not Received.