Determining Prevalence and Correlates of Psychiatric Treatment with Andersen's Behavioral Model of Health Services Use

Objective: This study examined the prevalence and correlates of use of health professional services for the treatment of mental or emotional problems by using Andersen's Behavioral Model of Health Services Use.

Methods: In the 2007 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System 169,546 community-dwelling respondents from 35 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico answered questions about their sociodemographic characteristics; perceived need; nonspecific psychological distress, as measured with the Kessler-6 scale; and use of professional treatment of mental or emotional problems.

Results: Evaluated need (psychological distress) was significantly associated with receipt of treatment for mental or emotional problems, as were predisposing factors (age, gender, race or ethnicity, marital status, and education), enabling and impeding factors (income, health insurance, and emotional support), and perceived need (number of mentally and physically unhealthy days and self-rated health).

Conclusion: Constituents in the public mental health system should seriously consider that health services utilization is socially patterned and not just an individual behavior.