Abstract
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.
| Original language | American English |
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| State | Published - Nov 4 2015 |
| Event | American Public Health Association Annual Meeting (APHA) - Duration: Nov 7 2017 → … |
Conference
| Conference | American Public Health Association Annual Meeting (APHA) |
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| Period | 11/7/17 → … |
Disciplines
- Public Health
Keywords
- Depression
- Health Care Access
