Citation

Richardson J, Morgenstern H, Crider R, Gonzalez O. Soc. Psychiatry Psychiatr. Epidemiol. 2013; 48(4): 673-683.

Affiliation

Thomson Reuters, Washington, DC, 20008, USA, john.richardson@thomsonreuters.com.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1007/s00127-012-0520-y

PMID

22660898

Abstract

PURPOSE: To explore the possible contextual effects of state-level mental health perceptions and public spending for mental health treatment on an individual's use of mental health services, independent of the individual's own perceptions. METHODS: Cross-sectional data from the 2007 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System were used. A total of 216,514 participants from 35 states and the District of Columbia were included in the study. Logistic regression and multilevel modeling were used to estimate the effects of individual-level characteristics and three state-level factors-per capita spending on community mental health services, aggregated perceptions of the effectiveness of mental health treatment and the stigma of mental illness-on the individual's current use of mental health services. RESULTS: Adjusting for the individual's perceptions and characteristics, state-level perception of treatment effectiveness was positively associated with the use of mental health services [odds ratio (OR) for 5 % increase in the percentage perceiving effectiveness = 1.08; 95 % confidence interval (CI): 1.01, 1.16]. This association was strongest for individuals who experienced 1-4 days of mental distress in the past 30 days (OR = 1.17; 95 % CI 1.06, 1.29). State-level public spending on community mental health services was also positively associated with an individual's use of mental health services (OR for a $40 increase in spending = 1.09; 95 % CI 1.01, 1.17); however, state-level perceptions of mental-illness stigma was not. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest there may be contextual effects of state-level perceptions of treatment effectiveness and state spending on community mental health services on the use of mental health services.

Language: en