Racial/ethnic differences in attitudes toward seeking professional mental health services.
OBJECTIVE
This study examined racial/ethnic differences in attitudes toward seeking mental health services.


METHODS
Data from the National Comorbidity Survey, which administered a structured diagnostic interview to a representative sample of the US population (N = 8098), were analyzed. Multiple logistic regression was used, and data were stratified by need for mental health services.


RESULTS
African Americans with depression were more likely than Whites with depression to "definitely go" (odds ratio [OR] = 1.8, P < .001) seek mental health services. African Americans with severe psychiatric disorders were less likely to be "somewhat embarrassed if friends knew they sought care" (OR = 0.3, P < .001) than were their White counterparts.


CONCLUSIONS
African Americans reported more positive attitudes toward seeking mental health services than did Whites.
Diala
C C
CC
Department of Mental Hygiene, Johns Hopkins University, 111 Market Pl, Room 3059, Baltimore, MD 21202, USA. diala@maxinter.net
Muntaner
C
C
Walrath
C
C
Nickerson
K
K
LaVeist
T
T
Leaf
P
P
D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015897:Comorbidity; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000208:ethnology*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D044465:White People / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data