The effects of mental health factors on ambulatory care visits by rural teens

• Published in: The Journal of rural health Vol. 12; no. 3; p. 160
• Main Authors: Rickert, V.I. (University of Texas Medical Branch-Galveston, Galveston, TX.), Pope, S.K, Tilford, J.M, Wayne, J, Scholle, S.H, Kelleher, K.J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 01.06.1996
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adolescent Behavior; Alcohol Drinking - epidemiology; Alcohol Drinking - psychology; Ambulatory Care - utilization; ARKANSAS; Arkansas - epidemiology; CAPACIDAD MENTAL; CAPACITE MENTALE; Cross-Sectional Studies; Depression - epidemiology; Depression - psychology; ENCUESTAS; ENQUETE; Female; Health Services Accessibility; Health Services Needs and Demand; Humans; JEUNESSE; JUVENTUD; Male; METHODE STATISTIQUE; METODOS ESTADISTICOS; POBLACION RURAL; POPULATION RURALE; Regression Analysis; Rural Health Services - utilization; Rural Population - statistics & numerical data; SALUD; SANTE; Surveys and Questionnaires; ZONAS RURALES; ZONE RURALE; Arkansas
• ISSN: 0890-765X; 1748-0361
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1748-0361.1996.tb00790.x

This study sought to determine the effects of mental health variables on rural adolescents' use of ambulatory health care services and whether these effects varied across common outpatient settings. Using a cross-sectional survey design, 2,297 adolescents who attended public schools in grades 7 through 12 in one isolated rural Mississippi River Delta county were assessed via a standardized health behavior survey. This self-report measure inquired about relevant health behaviors such as alcohol use, depressive symptoms, and health service use. The students' mean age was 15 years and 58 percent of the sample were black. Approximately 11 percent of the sample reported symptoms of depression, 16.5 percent reported problem drinking, and slightly fewer than 6 percent reported both. After controlling for predisposing, enabling, and need factors, the reporting of depressive symptoms, problem drinking, or both was related to an increased number of outpatient visits in three of four sites examined. However, differences among sites were observed. These data suggest that mental health problems are associated with increased visits to ambulatory settings, and these problems affect service use differentially. Thus, effective interventions and better linkages between ambulatory settings and mental health providers may reduce unnecessary use