Serious Psychological Distress, Disability, Sex and Unmet Mental Health Care Services

• In Event: 120 - Regular Session. Disability and Social Life

Abstract

Study of mental health care received by persons with disabilities who make up a significant group of the U.S. population is limited. Using a sample of people with serious psychological distress from the 2011-2013, Integrated Health Interview Series, associations between physical disabilities and unmet mental health care in the past-year were examined. The potential modifying effect of disability on the associations between gender and unmet needs were also examined.

Results show an association between physical disability and a substantially reduced likelihood of having unmet mental care services. Despite this negative relationship, disabled respondents lacking a usual source of care were 4.5 times as likely to have unmet mental health needs compared to those with a usual place of care. Women with physical disabilities had higher odds of having unmet mental care compared to men with physical disabilities. While women without physical disabilities had lower odds of having unmet mental care compared to men without physical disabilities. Results also show underlying socio-demographic, health, cost and non-cost factors contribute to differences in unmet needs.

These findings show that sex and having a usual place of care are two of the key factors in the relationship between disability and mental health use. As a result, they should be considered as fundamental components of any mental health service models for adults with physical disabilities.

Authors

• Allison Houston, State University of New York-Albany

• Anne-Marie Gomes, State University of New York-Albany

• Toni Naccarato, State University of New York-Albany