Ethnic minority adolescents and the use of community mental health care services

Am J Community Psychol. 1992 Aug;20(4):403-17. doi: 10.1007/BF00937752.

Abstract

Examined the utilization rates, treatment dropout rates, and length of treatment for minority adolescents in the mental health care system. Data from the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health from 1983 to 1988 were used. Ss were 853 African Americans, 704 Asian Americans, 964 Hispanics, and 670 whites. Analyses showed that Asian Americans and Hispanics are underrepresented in existing public mental health facilities while African Americans are overrepresented. For dropout rates, no ethnic differences are found between minority groups and whites; but, for length of treatment, Asian Americans tend to stay longer in treatment while African Americans tend to stay in treatment for a shorter period of time than whites. African Americans also have more outpatient episodes than whites. Implications of the results are discussed, and recommendations for future research are suggested.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adjustment Disorders / diagnosis
  • Adjustment Disorders / epidemiology
  • Adjustment Disorders / psychology
  • Adolescent
  • Adolescent Health Services / statistics & numerical data*
  • Child
  • Child Behavior Disorders / diagnosis
  • Child Behavior Disorders / epidemiology
  • Child Behavior Disorders / psychology
  • Community Mental Health Services / statistics & numerical data*
  • Cross-Cultural Comparison
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Ethnicity / psychology
  • Ethnicity / statistics & numerical data*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Length of Stay / statistics & numerical data
  • Los Angeles / epidemiology
  • Male
  • Mental Disorders / diagnosis
  • Mental Disorders / epidemiology*
  • Mental Disorders / psychology
  • Minority Groups / psychology
  • Minority Groups / statistics & numerical data*
  • Mood Disorders / diagnosis
  • Mood Disorders / epidemiology
  • Mood Disorders / psychology
  • Referral and Consultation / statistics & numerical data
  • Schizophrenia / diagnosis
  • Schizophrenia / epidemiology
  • Schizophrenic Psychology
  • Urban Population / statistics & numerical data*