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.
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.
Authors: Kathleen Vanheusden; Jan van der Ende; Cornelis L Mulder; Frank J van Lenthe; Frank C Verhulst; Johan P Mackenbach Journal: Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol Date: 2008-08-21 Impact factor: 4.328
Authors: Lisa C McGuire; Tara W Strine; Stephanie Vachirasudlekha; Lynda A Anderson; Joyce T Berry; Ali H Mokdad Journal: Int J Public Health Date: 2009-06 Impact factor: 3.380
Authors: Erin C Dunn; Katherine E Masyn; Monica Yudron; Stephanie M Jones; S V Subramanian Journal: Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol Date: 2014-01-28 Impact factor: 4.328