Attitudes towards mental health care in younger and older adults: similarities and differences.
It is commonly assumed that older and younger adults have very different attitudes about seeking mental health services and that this is a major factor in reducing the use of mental health services by the elderly. However, little evidence exists to illustrate how elders actually perceive mental health care. Responses from a survey of 474 older adults age 65 and over were compared with data from a national survey of 1001 persons age 21-65. Results indicate similarities in many attitudes including likelihood of seeking treatment for severe mental disorders, importance of mental health care, and concerns about cost and coverage as barriers to care. Differences included use of services, perceptions about less severe disorders, referral sources, and preferred providers. Clinical, policy and public education implications are discussed.
Robb
C
C
Department of Gerontology, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida 33620, USA. crobb@chuma1.cas.usf.edu
Haley
W E
WE
Becker
M A
MA
Polivka
L A
LA
Chwa
H-J
HJ
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005852:Geriatric Psychiatry; D006299:Health Services for the Aged / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000628:therapy; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States