Predictors of Access to Needed Health and Mental Health Services among Sexual Minority Youth: Findings from The National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health

Little is known about access and barriers to health and mental health services among sexual minority youth (SMY). Logan and King (2001) suggest that the parent-adolescent relationship plays a key role in whether youth obtain needed services. Many sexual minority youth have fewer resources, such as parental support/acceptance (Eisenberg & Resnick, 2006), which may contribute to greater difficulty accessing services. This paper presents findings from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health), a school-based representative study, and addresses the following research questions: 1) Do SMY report a difference in parent connectedness compared to their peers? 2) What youth and family characteristics (i.e., sexual minority status, age, sex, race/ethnicity, parent connectedness, health insurance, parent education, and family income) predict whether youth will have an unmet health or mental health need (i.e., need without service use)? Data is taken from Wave I of Add Health and consists of a core sample of 18,924 youth in grades 7 – 12 with a subsample of 1,388 SMY. Using survey software (Stata 10) and logistic regression models, this study examined individual and family characteristics that predict unmet health or mental health need among youth. Findings demonstrated higher rates of unmet health and mental health need among SMY and lower levels of parent connectedness. Parent connectedness was also a significant predictor of unmet health and mental health need among youth. Findings highlight the need for tailored social work interventions for parents and for school/community-based health care providers that promote access to services for SMY.