Adult perceptions of mental health access barriers facing youth in rural Washington State: A group concept mapping study

Janessa M Graves^{1

2}, Demetrius A Abshire³, Jessica L Mackelprang⁴, Tracy A Klein⁵, Carmen Gonzalez⁶, Kailee Parrott^{2

7}, Deborah U Eti⁸, Jordan G Ferris², Christina M Chacon⁹, Ashley D Beck¹⁰

Affiliations

¹ WWAMI Rural Health Research Center, Department of Family Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA.
² Nursing and Systems Science Department, College of Nursing Spokane, Washington State University, Spokane, Washington, USA.
³ Department of Biobehavioral Health & Nursing Science, College of Nursing, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, USA.
⁴ Department of Psychological Sciences, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
⁵ Nursing and Systems Science Department, College of Nursing Vancouver, Washington State University, Vancouver, Washington, USA.
⁶ Department of Communications, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA.
⁷ Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA.
⁸ Advanced Practice and Community-Based Care Department, College of Nursing Spokane, Washington State University, Spokane, Washington, United States.
⁹ Advanced Practice and Community-Based Care Department, College of Nursing Tri Cities, Washington State University, Richland, Washington, USA.
¹⁰ Washington State Department of Health, Olympia, Washington, USA.

PMID: 39138858
DOI: 10.1111/jrh.12866

Adult perceptions of mental health access barriers facing youth in rural Washington State: A group concept mapping study

Janessa M Graves et al. J Rural Health. 2025 Jan.

. 2025 Jan;41(1):e12866.

doi: 10.1111/jrh.12866. Epub 2024 Aug 13.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ WWAMI Rural Health Research Center, Department of Family Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA.
² Nursing and Systems Science Department, College of Nursing Spokane, Washington State University, Spokane, Washington, USA.
³ Department of Biobehavioral Health & Nursing Science, College of Nursing, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, USA.
⁴ Department of Psychological Sciences, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
⁵ Nursing and Systems Science Department, College of Nursing Vancouver, Washington State University, Vancouver, Washington, USA.
⁶ Department of Communications, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA.
⁷ Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA.
⁸ Advanced Practice and Community-Based Care Department, College of Nursing Spokane, Washington State University, Spokane, Washington, United States.
⁹ Advanced Practice and Community-Based Care Department, College of Nursing Tri Cities, Washington State University, Richland, Washington, USA.
¹⁰ Washington State Department of Health, Olympia, Washington, USA.

PMID: 39138858
DOI: 10.1111/jrh.12866

Abstract

Purpose: To explore adult community members' perspectives concerning barriers to mental health care that confront rural-dwelling youth.

Methods: Group concept mapping, a participatory community-engaged research method, was used. Adult community members brainstormed and sorted statements describing barriers rural youth encounter in accessing mental health services. Point and cluster maps were created to visualize conceptual similarities between statements. Statements were rated according to their commonness and importance (1: low commonness/importance, 5: high commonness/importance).

Findings: Thirty-five adults sorted and/or rated 71 barriers facing rural youth in accessing mental health services. Seven conceptual clusters were identified: system-level barriers, knowledge and communication, youth concerns, parent/guardian concerns, parent/guardian barriers, costs and convenience, and school-level barriers. Within youth concerns, community members also identified a subcluster focused on stigma. Common and important statements related to limited after-school programs and community mental health support initiatives.

Conclusions: Group concept mapping methodology provides structure for conceptualizing challenges facing rural youth in accessing mental health services. Policies should be informed by rural community concerns and priorities. After-school and support programs may align with mental health needs identified by rural communities.

Keywords: community engagement; health care access; mental health.

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References

REFERENCES

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Adult perceptions of mental health access barriers facing youth in rural Washington State: A group concept mapping study

Affiliations

Adult perceptions of mental health access barriers facing youth in rural Washington State: A group concept mapping study

Authors

Affiliations

Abstract

References

REFERENCES

Publication types

MeSH terms

Grants and funding

LinkOut - more resources

Full Text Sources

Medical