Factors affecting service utilization for depression in a white collar population

Abstract

The present study examines rates of mental health service utilization among depressed individuals in a large white collar cohort. Clinical and psychosocial features of a recent depressive episode, as well as preexisting psychiatric and psychosocial characteristics, are examined for their ability to distinguish between individuals who (a) did and did not seek help during their episode and (b) chose to consult one professional source rather than another. Results showed that approximately one-third of the sample sought professional help. Respondents consulting mental health specialists were more clinically impaired and had poorer work performance and fewer psychosocial assets than both those consulting nonpsychiatric physicians and those seeking no help. Respondents in the latter two groups were indistinguishable from one another on many of the assessed variables.