Premium
Predicting Level of Mental Health Care Among Children Served in a Delivery System in a Rural State
Author(s) -
Anderson Rachel L.,
Estle George
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
the journal of rural health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.439
H-Index - 57
eISSN - 1748-0361
pISSN - 0890-765X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1748-0361.2001.tb00963.x
Subject(s) - medicine , neglect , mental health , sexual abuse , logistic regression , intervention (counseling) , psychiatry , health care , family medicine , suicide prevention , poison control , environmental health , economics , economic growth
The purpose of this study was to establish benchmark data to assist in identifying factors associated with mental health service needs and level of care for children living in a rural state. Clinical and psycho‐social needs and strengths were assessed using retrospective chart review for all children and adolescents (n=150) with symptoms or a diagnosis of reactive attachment disorder who presented to a comprehensive treatment facility between January 1997 and December 1999. Logistic regression was used to predict factors associated with inpatient admission (n=15) vs. community‐based care (n=135). Significant individual contributors to the prediction of inpatient care were more limited clinical/psycho‐social strengths, history of inpatient use and history of sexual abuse. Although 80 percent of children admitted to inpatient care had a history of hospitalization, two‐thirds had no history of receiving community‐based services and presented to current treatment with a tivo‐year or longer history of symptoms. Approximately two‐thirds of children admitted to inpatient care had a history of sexual abuse; however, one‐third of these children had no history of mental health service use and presented to current treatment with a two‐year or longer history of symptoms. Findings raise concerns about current efforts in public health education, community awareness and health prevention and early intervention programs for children with mental/behavioral health challenges and children and families at risk for abuse and/or neglect living in rural areas.