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Factors Associated with Mental Health Services Use among Disconnected African-American Young Adult Population

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Abstract

Research related to mental health service use among vulnerable young adults is limited. This study used an expanded version of Andersen’s Behavioral Model of Health Services Use to evaluate factors associated with the use of different types of mental health services among a sample of predominantly African-American 16–24 year olds (n = 500) in an employment training program in Baltimore City. Results indicated that participants were more likely to have received mental health services in correctional facilities than in community- or school-based contexts. Use of mental health services in correctional facilities was significantly greater among males, those less than 18 years, and those who experienced more stressful events. Findings illustrate the need to develop seamless mental health services for vulnerable young adults in multiple contexts, including the criminal justice system.

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Acknowledgement

We would like to acknowledge contributions from Meg Tucker and Amy Templeman who worked as project coordinators on this study. We would also like to thank Dr. Freya Sonenstein, Director of the Center for Adolescent Health at the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, who provided feedback on earlier versions of this manuscript. This project was funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U48 DP000040-02).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Adolescent Health, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, 615 N Wolfe Street, Room E4532, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA

    Pallab K. Maulik MD, PhD, MSc

  2. Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, 624 N. Broadway, Room 853, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA

    Tamar Mendelson PhD

  3. Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University, 200 North Wolfe Street, Room 2025, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA

    S. Darius Tandon PhD

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  1. Pallab K. Maulik MD, PhD, MSc
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  2. Tamar Mendelson PhD
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  3. S. Darius Tandon PhD
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Correspondence to Pallab K. Maulik MD, PhD, MSc.

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Maulik, P.K., Mendelson, T. & Tandon, S.D. Factors Associated with Mental Health Services Use among Disconnected African-American Young Adult Population. J Behav Health Serv Res 38, 205–220 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11414-010-9220-0

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