Of problems and perspectives: Predicting the use of mental health services by parents of urban youth

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Abstract

Recently, the national policy agenda has included an interest in the utilization of mental health services, especially among urban and minority youth. This paper analyzes a survey of 126 parents of urban youth and a companion survey of the clinicians who served them to understand predictors of the use of mental health services over a six month period. Findings reveal that more parents than clinicians notice and are concerned about school problems of the children, while more clinicians than parents notice and are concerned about the childrens' depression. Using behavior problems, services provided, and demographic information in multiple regression analyses, we discovered that parents of delinquent children are less likely to use services. In addition, if clinicians do not provide evaluation and services which improve the children's achievement in school, parents are less likely to bring their children back for services. Implications of the findings for the delivery of services to urban adolescents are discussed.

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This research was supported in part by grants from the National Institute of Mental Health (RO1 MH 39195-01; RO1 MH 42917-02) to the School of Social Work, Rutgers University, and the Center for the Study of the Financing and Care of the Seriously Mentally Ill.

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