[Impact of structure and context on utilization of socio-psychiatric services in Saxony--a multi-level-analysis]

Abstract

Objective: To analyse the influence of structural (service) aspects and context (catchment area) variables on the individual use of socio-psychiatric services in Saxony.

Method: Data collected in 34 services were used. For the analysis of the variance components a multi-level model with random effects was computed using data at two levels ([1] client, and [2] service/catchment area).

Results: Service use was substantially influenced by structural/context factors which accounted for a proportion of 10 to 50 % of the variance depending on the (sub-)group of users included in the analysis. The impact of service structure and context on service use was particularly strong in the subgroup of service users with very high service utilisation.