Genevieve Graaf1, Izabela Annis2, Regina Martinez3, Kathleen C Thomas2. 1. School of Social Work, University of Texas At Arlington, Social Work Complex-A, 112D 211 South Cooper Street, Box 19129, Arlington, TX, 76019, USA. genevieve.graaf@uta.edu. 2. Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina At Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, USA. 3. School of Social Work, University of Texas At Arlington, Social Work Complex-A, 112D 211 South Cooper Street, Box 19129, Arlington, TX, 76019, USA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: This study describes rates of perceived and unmet need for family support services (care coordination, respite care, and family mental health care) among a national sample of children with special health care needs (CSHCN), distinguishing children with emotional, behavioral, or developmental problems (EBDPs) from children with primarily physical chronic conditions. It also examines if a child having EBDPs is associated with perceived and unmet family support service needs and investigates public versus private health insurance's moderating effect on this association. METHODS: Using data from the National Survey of Children with Special Health Care Needs (2005/2006 and 2009/2010), this cross-sectional study uses multi-level, fixed effects logistic regression. RESULTS: When compared to CSHCN with no EBDPs, parents of CSHCN with EBDPs report greater need for all family support services and greater rates of unmet need for all support services. This pattern of greater need for CSHCN with EBDPs versus those without is similar among those with public and private health insurance. Among CSHCN with family support needs, however, the pattern differs. For CSHCN with EBDPs, having public insurance is associated with lower probabilities of unmet needs compared to private insurance. For CSHCN without EBDPs, having public insurance has a mixed effect on probability of reporting unmet need. CONCLUSION: Having EBDPs and public insurance is associated with increased perceived need, but public insurance also confers particular benefit for children with EBDPs.
OBJECTIVES: This study describes rates of perceived and unmet need for family support services (care coordination, respite care, and family mental health care) among a national sample of children with special health care needs (CSHCN), distinguishing children with emotional, behavioral, or developmental problems (EBDPs) from children with primarily physical chronic conditions. It also examines if a child having EBDPs is associated with perceived and unmet family support service needs and investigates public versus private health insurance's moderating effect on this association. METHODS: Using data from the National Survey of Children with Special Health Care Needs (2005/2006 and 2009/2010), this cross-sectional study uses multi-level, fixed effects logistic regression. RESULTS: When compared to CSHCN with no EBDPs, parents of CSHCN with EBDPs report greater need for all family support services and greater rates of unmet need for all support services. This pattern of greater need for CSHCN with EBDPs versus those without is similar among those with public and private health insurance. Among CSHCN with family support needs, however, the pattern differs. For CSHCN with EBDPs, having public insurance is associated with lower probabilities of unmet needs compared to private insurance. For CSHCN without EBDPs, having public insurance has a mixed effect on probability of reporting unmet need. CONCLUSION: Having EBDPs and public insurance is associated with increased perceived need, but public insurance also confers particular benefit for children with EBDPs.
Authors: Nicole M Brown; Jeremy C Green; Mayur M Desai; Carol C Weitzman; Marjorie S Rosenthal Journal: Pediatrics Date: 2014-02-17 Impact factor: 7.124