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333124
Sociological Factors Influencing Utilization of Mental Health Services Among Racial and Ethnic Minorities with Chronic Conditions


Wednesday, November 4, 2015

Doshia Harris, MBA, AF AM Consulting, Indianapolis, IN
Priscilla Barnes, MPH, PhD, MCHES, School of Public Health, Indiana University Bloomington, Bloomington, IN
David Townsend, MSW, AF AM Consulting, Indianapolis, IN
Olga Munteanu, Applied Health Science, Indiana University Bloomington School of Public Health, Bloomington, IN
Stephanie L Dickinson, M.A.S., Department of Statistics, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN
Tilicia Mayo, MA, MPH, Department of Applied Health Science, School of Public Health, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN
Anita Ohmit, MPH, Racial and Ethnic Minority Epidemiology Center, Indiana Minority Health Coalition, Indianapolis, IN
BACKGROUND: Racial and ethnic disparities exist in mental health screening and treatment. Sociological factors have not been fully identified that may contribute to these disparities and influence utilization of mental health services by racial and ethnic minorities. The goal of this study is to examine the predisposing, enabling, and need factors that might predict healthcare utilization for depression screening and treatment among minorities with a chronic condition.

METHODS: A perception survey was developed and administered to 240 racial and ethnic minorities, 18 years and older, in Marion County who had at least one chronic condition. Secondary data analysis, using logistic regression, of intrapersonal measures was conducted.

RESULTS: Findings from the study indicate that racial/ethnic minorities who suffer from four or more chronic conditions were more likely to have symptoms of depression (significantly different at p=0.01) and to have been screened for depression (p=0.002) than those who have fewer chronic conditions. Depression symptoms were found to differ by need factors (severity of chronic conditions), predisposing factors (age, sex, race), and enabling factors (healthcare coverage, income, employment, education, and marital status).

 IMPLICATIONS:Sociological factors act as important facilitators in promoting better accessibility and availability of mental health services to racial/ethnic groups with chronic conditions.   Future strategies to improve self-management practices and healthcare utilization should address demographic-specific information and the co-existence of diseases.

Learning Areas:

Public health or related research
Social and behavioral sciences

Learning Objectives:
Describe sociological factors that influence utilization of depression screening and treatment services among racial and ethnic minorities with chronic conditions

Keyword(s): Depression, Health Care Access

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am the principal investigator of a community-based project focusing on utilization of mental health services among racial and ethnic minorities.
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.

Back to: 5018.0: Poster #6// Disparities in Health and Mental Health: Research Perspectives