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A population-based analysis of the association between health insurance coverage and psychological health, and the influence of other mediating factors among young adults in the United States who have been a victim of a violent crime
Methods: The estimates in this study were derived from the 2008 panel of the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 97, from the Bureau of Labor, Department of Commerce. Cross-sectional estimates were calculated using the SAS 9.2 statistical package. Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis was conducted on the weighted data.
Results: Mean scores of psychological well-being differed by health insurance status: Full-Year, Private Coverage, [Mean = 69.51, SE = 1.12], Partial-Year, Government Coverage [Mean = 60.99, SE = 3.74] (p = 0.03). Respondents who reported being victims of a violent crime during the past five years were significantly more likely to report psychological distress (PD), than those who had not reported being a victim of a crime during the past five years (COR 1.41; 95% CI, 1.04 – 1.92). Other factors associated with young adult’s PD and violent crime victim experiences included: general health, marijuana use, and lower life satisfaction.
Conclusion: Results underscore the importance of access to health insurance among young adults who have been a victim of a violent crime. Integration of mental health screening and the implementation of health care reform may help to improve public mental health outcomes.
Learning Areas:
Public health or related researchSocial and behavioral sciences
Systems thinking models (conceptual and theoretical models), applications related to public health
Learning Objectives:
Identify the prevalence of psychological distress within victims of a violent crime, among a nationally representative sample of young adults
Demonstrate how contextual, individual, and health behavior factors, including life satisfaction, are associated with psychological health among victims of a violent crime, within a nationally representative sample of young adults
Describe the impact individual, behavioral, and contextual factors on the association of health insurance coverage and one’s self-reported psychological well-being within victims of a violent crime, among a nationally representative sample of young adults
Keyword(s): Violence & Injury Prevention, Mental Health
Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am qualified to present because I have been researching public mental health for over two years and have been working as professional and researcher in ATOD and in related consequences and mental health for over 8 years.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.