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Comparative Study
. 2018 Aug;5(4):847-859.
doi: 10.1007/s40615-017-0430-5. Epub 2017 Oct 19.

Factors Associated with American Indian Mental Health Service Use in Comparison with White Older Adults

Heehyul Moon  1 , Yeon-Shim Lee  2 , Soonhee Roh  3 , Catherine E Burnette  4
Affiliations
Comparative Study

Factors Associated with American Indian Mental Health Service Use in Comparison with White Older Adults

Heehyul Moon et al. J Racial Ethn Health Disparities. 2018 Aug.

Abstract

Objective: Our objective was to identify the factors that impact mental health service use among American Indian (AI) older adults living in South Dakota compared to their White counterparts.

Design and methods: Using a cross-sectional design with 735 participants (n = 502 Whites, n = 233 AIs), we used ordinal regressions to analyze the extent to which predisposing, need, and enabling/hindering factors predicted the level of mental health service utilization.

Results: White older adults used more mental health services as compared with AI older adults. For both groups, more adverse childhood experiences along with prior negative experience with mental health service use were significantly related to an increased level of mental health service use. Compared to their White counterparts, AI older adults who reported a higher level of depressive symptoms, better self-perceived physical health, and a more positive attitude toward mental health services tended to use more mental health services.

Conclusions: To reduce mental health disparities among AI older adults, community, local government, and academic partners should pay attention to how to encourage the use of mental health services to meet the unique needs of AI older adults.

Keywords: American Indians; Mental health service use; Older adults; South Dakota.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest Author Dr. Moon declares that he/she has no conflict of interest. Author Dr. Lee declares that he/she has no conflict of interest. Author Dr. Roh declares that he/she has no conflict of interest. Author Dr. Burnette declares that he/she has no conflict of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1.
Fig. 1.
Conceptual framework of factors associated with the level of mental health service use
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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