Mental Health Services Research: What Is It?

This presentation will summarize the results of a qualitative analysis of information focused on answering two questions: (1) What are the defining characteristics of mental health service research (MHCR)? and (2) What are the implications of its practice? Information was derived from four sources (1) websites describing University Centers conducting MHSR, (2) websites describing academic degree programs with a concentration in MHSR, (3) descriptions of journals devoted to publishing the results of MHSR, and (4) published literature describing MHSR. Text from these sources was thematically coded and analyzed using qualitative software. The result indicate that MHSR is defined by (1) being conducted in “real world” applied settings; (2) incorporating an interdisciplinary/multidisciplinary perspective, (3) involving a variety of stakeholders (e.g., individuals, families, legislators, organizations, providers, institutions, communities, managed care, state mental health, legal, social services systems), (4) focusing on improving treatment and service delivery systems for people with mental illness and their families – therefore must be useful and practical and action-oriented, (5) examining social and political factors, financing systems, cultural environments, organizational procedures, health technologies, and personal behaviors on quality, cost, and access to health care, and ultimately, peoples' general health and well-being (and all the interactions), and (6) integrating research, practice, and policy. The presentation will highlight the implications for practice and the core competencies necessary to be a services researcher.