Search results for ‘Subject term:"mental health problems"’ Sort:
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Comparing health and mental health needs, service use, and barriers to services among sexual minority youths and their peers
- Authors:
- WILLIAMS Kelly A., CHAPMAN Mimi V.
- Journal article citation:
- Health and Social Work, 36(3), August 2011, pp.197-206.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
Previous research has suggested that sexual minority youths (SMYs) are at higher risk of an array of poor health and mental health outcomes in comparison with their heterosexual peers. This study provides a comparative analysis of health and mental health needs, access and barriers to services, and the extent of unmet health needs between SMYs and their peers. The study entailed a secondary data analysis of wave 1 data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, a school-based nationally representative probability survey of 20,745 youths in grades 7 to 12. SMYs accounted for 7.5% of the sample. The data were analysed to ascertain prevalence of risks and explore group differences. Compared with peers, SMY self-reports indicated higher prevalence rates on all indicators of health and mental health need. SMYs reported more sexual activity, more sexually transmitted disease diagnoses, a higher perceived risk for HIV/AIDS, and more forgone medical care than peers. Also compared with peers, SMYs reported higher levels of anxiety, depression, suicidality, and physical and sexual victimisation and higher rates of unmet mental health need. SMYs also reported greater concerns about confidentiality and were less likely to use school-based services. Implications for practice are discussed.
Factors affecting the recognition of mental health problems among adolescent offenders in custody
- Authors:
- MITCHELL Paul, SHAW Jenny
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Forensic Psychiatry and Psychology (The), 22(3), June 2011, pp.381-394.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Previous research has indicated that adolescent offenders have high levels of mental health problems. Despite recent improvements in mental health provision for adolescents in custody, mental illness is frequently undetected and therefore mental health needs remain unmet. The aim of this study was to examine what factors affect recognition of mental health problems in adolescent offenders during routine screening on admission to custody. A random sample of 115 detained boys was interviewed following reception into custody using a battery of tools to assess mental health problems, subjective rating of health status and coping style. The findings showed that only just over half of young people with unmet mental health needs were detected by the reception screening process. Internalising problems such as depression were more likely to be missed. Boys who used behavioural coping strategies or who subjectively rated themselves as having problems were more likely to be recognised. The article concludes that improvement is needed in screening, with greater attention given to internalising disorders such as depression and anxiety, and young people's subjective rating of their health status.
Addressing unmet needs in incarcerated women with co-occurring disorders
- Authors:
- SALINA Doreen D., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Social Service Research, 37(4), July 2011, pp.365-378.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Women are increasingly entering and leaving the criminal justice system with unmet needs relating to lack of mental health and substance abuse treatment and availability of basic resources. The presence of unmet needs is likely to impact the success of community entry of incarcerated women. This study aimed to identify the most prevalent critical needs reported by incarcerated women with co-occurring disorders. The participants were 281 incarcerated women diagnosed with substance use and mental health disorders. The women completed interviews while incarcerated and again at 1, 3 and 6 months after community re-entry. The findings revealed that the women had the same or a higher number of needs after spending 6 months in the community compared to those reported while incarcerated. A low level of social support was related to negative outcomes. The article concludes that incarcerated women require holistic evaluation assessments and integrated treatment plans that encourage staff to comprehensively assess clients at intake and link them to support services during and after incarceration.
Unmet needs and antisocial personality disorder among Black African and Caribbean service users with severe mental illness
- Authors:
- GWASPARI Mischa, HOCHHAUSER Sanita, BRUCE Matt
- Journal article citation:
- Ethnicity and Inequalities in Health and Social Care, 4(1), 2011, pp.38-48.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
To investigate unmet needs of Black African and Caribbean patients with and without a concurrent diagnosis of antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) 79 participants were recruited from ten psychiatric inpatient wards across two hospital sites in South London. Personality disorder was assessed using the SCID-II for DSM-IV, the prevalence of unmet needs was assessed by The Camberwell Assessment of Need Short Assessment Schedule and substance misuse problems measured using well validated drug and alcohol use disorder identification tools. Results found the presence of a concurrent ASPD was independently associated with a greater number of unmet needs. ASPD was associated with lower qualifications and a greater risk of homelessness and substance misuse. Unmet need was associated with lower qualifications and substance misuse. Alcohol dependence and drug misuse were found to be the most significant predictors of unmet need. The article concludes that mental health teams should ensure thorough needs assessment procedures are incorporated into general psychiatric service practice ensuring effective treatment packages are tailored to these patients needs.
Profiles of systems involvement in a sample of high-risk urban adolescents with unmet treatment needs
- Authors:
- DAUBER Sarah, HOGUE Aaron
- Journal article citation:
- Children and Youth Services Review, 33(10), October 2011, pp.2018-2026.
- Publisher:
- Elsevier
Adolescents in need of behavioural health services often have long histories of multiple problems and may be involved in the service sectors that manage these problems, particularly special education, legal, child welfare and mental health treatment systems. This study aimed to describe profiles of system involvement and behavioural health problems in a sample of urban adolescents with identified behavioural health needs but not currently receiving mental health services. The study sample comprised 253 adolescents and caregivers who participated in a family-based assessment interview as part of a larger research study. Self-report data were collected on multiple dimensions of involvement within each system, demographics, and mental health diagnoses. Latent class analysis revealed 4 profiles: education system: academic and disciplinary; education system: academic only; legal/juvenile justice involved; and multiple systems/child welfare. The profiles differed based on gender and psychiatric diagnoses. Boys were overrepresented in education system: academic and disciplinary, and legal/juvenile justice involved. Girls were overrepresented in multiple systems/child welfare. The 2 education system focused classes were characterised by depressive disorders and ADHD. Youth in legal/juvenile justice involved and multiple systems/child welfare were characterised by conduct disorder and substance abuse. The implications for assessment and treatment planning for high-risk youth are discussed.
Do youth in out-of-home care receive recommended mental health and educational services following screening evaluations?
- Authors:
- PETRENKO Christie L. M., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Children and Youth Services Review, 33(10), October 2011, pp.1911-1918.
- Publisher:
- Elsevier
Youth in out-of-home care are known to be at high risk for mental health and educational problems, but previous research has shown that many of do not receive the services they need. The aim of this study was to determine whether screening evaluations designed to identify unmet mental health and educational problems among youth in out-of-home care could close the gap between service need and receipt. Screening evaluations were completed with 171 maltreated youth ages 9 to 11 who had been placed in out-of-home care within the prior year. Written reports summarising the findings of the screening evaluation were provided to children's caseworkers. Service utilisation was assessed at interviews at baseline, before screening reports were completed, and at follow-up 9–12 months later. For children not already receiving services at baseline, the association was assessed between baseline recommendations for services and new service implementation by follow-up. Screening evaluations identified 22% of children with unmet mental health needs and 36% with unmet educational needs. The children who received a recommendation for new services were more likely to receive mental health or educational services than children who did not receive recommendations for services. While recommendations increased the odds of receiving services, almost half of the children with unmet mental health needs and 84% of children with unmet educational needs did not receive services by follow-up.
Understanding behaviour in dementia that challenges: a guide to assessment and treatment
- Author:
- JAMES Ian Andrew
- Publisher:
- Jessica Kingsley
- Publication year:
- 2011
- Pagination:
- 176p.
- Place of publication:
- London
As people grow older, their physical and psychological needs become more complex. Unmet needs often result in challenging behaviour, particularly if the person suffers from dementia. This behaviour can significantly interfere with the quality of life of a person with dementia, as well as that of those who live with and care for them. The author looks beyond the behaviour itself to the causes. He suggests that challenging behaviours occur at times of distress and reflect an attempt to cope with difficult situations. Drawing on the voices of older people themselves the book works towards understanding the nature of this distress, touching on such issues as pain and lack of stimulation, companionship and autonomy. The author describes the different categories and causes of challenging behaviour in people with dementia, and provides models which will aid identification, assessment and treatment. A thorough evaluation of the use of psychotropic medication is provided, as well as of a wide range of psychological and biopsychosocial interventions. The book contains useful tools and protocols derived from the author's work at a specialist challenging behaviour unit, as well as case studies which demonstrate how the various models may be used in practice.
Assessing health care needs among street homeless and transitionally housed adults
- Authors:
- BARRETT Blake, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Social Service Research, 37(3), May 2011, pp.338-350.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
In 2009, there was an estimated 9,566 homeless people in Hillsborough County, FL. This article reports on the results of a survey conducted by the lead agency responsible for coordinating homeless services in Hillsborough. The survey aimed to examine the health care needs and receipt of health services of street and transitionally housed homeless persons in the county. In March-May 2008, a total of 823 homeless individuals were interviewed in street-based locations, shelters, drop-in centres, and meal sites using a comprehensive survey. The participants reported extensive lifetime and current needs for physical and behavioural health care services. More than a third (37.2%) reported having a physical or mental disability that impaired everyday activities. The majority reported a need for dental (60.2%) and eye (54.2%) care. More than a quarter (27.0%) reported an HIV diagnosis. In addition, nearly a half of the sample (49.1%) reported having being diagnosed with a mental or emotional problem, and a third (33.4%) reported currently having a substance abuse problem. The study provides evidence of the wide prevalence of health service needs, the lack of health services received, the accordant gap in unmet medical treatment, and the primary utilisation of costly and acute sources of care among homeless persons.
Deafblindness and mental health: psychological distress and unmet need among adults with dual sensory impairment
- Authors:
- BODSWORTH Sarah M., et al
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Visual Impairment, 29(1), January 2011, pp.6-26.
- Publisher:
- Sage
Little detailed information is available about the mental health of people with deafblindness. This systematic survey was designed to better understand the levels of psychological distress and unmet need in this population. Using materials adapted for each member, a self-report survey was sent to the membership of the third sector organisation, Deafblind UK. The response rate was relatively low; a total of 539 usable responses were received from the 2717 surveys distributed. As anticipated, high rates of psychological distress were reported: 61 percent (n = 439) of the respondents obtained a score of two or more (from a maximum of 12) on the General Health Questionnaire-12, while 45.8 percent obtained a more stringent score of four or more. Informal support from family and friends was widely reported but the findings also suggested high levels of unmet need. More than one in four respondents reported that they received no formal support; only a third received regular support from a general practitioner of community nurse. The development of services for this client group, particularly within the health service, is discussed.