Citation

Patten SB, King N, Munir A, Bulloch AGM, Devoe D, Rivera D, Byun J, Cunningham S, Dimitropoulos G, Bhattarai A, Duffy A. J. Am. Coll. Health 2022; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2022, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/07448481.2022.2115303

PMID

36194448

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Access to university mental health services is poorly characterized. Our objectives were to (1) assess patterns of access and (2) explore predictability of contact with student mental health services. Participants: Data derived from the U-Flourish study, which includes a survey of successive cohorts of incoming undergraduate students attending Queen's University, located in Ontario, Canada (Cohort 1: 2018, Cohort 2: 2019).

METHODS: Survey data sets were deterministically linked to administrative data provided by Student Wellness Services. Analyses included cross-tabulation, logistic and negative binomial regression. Predictive modeling used LASSO regression.

RESULTS: Baseline symptoms were robust determinants of access. For example, a PHQ-9 rating in the severe range (≥ 20) was associated with an OR of 9.71 (95% CI: 4.46-21.1). A predictive algorithm did not outperform cut point-based interpretation of PHQ-9 or GAD-7 ratings.

CONCLUSIONS: Self-reported symptoms are consistently associated with service use, supporting the widespread use of symptom screens.

Language: en

Keywords

mental health; prediction; health services; Community health; student health services