Aging and outpatient service use among persons with schizophrenia-spectrum disorders in a statewide behavioral healthcare system.

This investigation explored the demographic and service use correlates of age among young, midlife, and older adults diagnosed with schizophrenia-spectrum disorders (N = 513), using the administrative data set of a statewide behavioral healthcare system. More African Americans persons were represented in the younger groups (age 18-35, 36-44) than in the older group (age 45 and older). Nearly two thirds of persons with schizophrenia-spectrum disorders seeking outpatient treatment were younger than 45. With the exception of crisis/emergency department services, persons in different age groups did not differ in the amount and type of outpatient service utilized and in the likelihood of dropping out of services early. However, persons aged between 18 and 44 used significantly more crisis/emergency department services than did those aged 45 and older. The findings suggest the importance of relapse prevention for persons aged 18-44 treated in outpatient settings.