Determinants of service use among young Canadians with mental disorders.
OBJECTIVE
To identify the determinants of service use by young Canadians with mental health problems.


METHODS
Data were drawn from a recent large Canadian mental health survey. The analyses were conducted on a subsample of 1092 Canadians aged 15 to 24 years and identified as presenting a mood disorder, an anxiety disorder, or a substance-related disorder in the 12 months preceding the survey. We classified variables potentially associated with any type of service use for a mental health problem over a 12-month period according to predisposing, enabling, and need factors. We conducted weighted multivariate logistic regressions to determine the association of each factor with service use.


RESULTS
In the final model, being female and living alone were the predisposing factors associated with service use. None of the enabling factors predicted help seeking. In regard to the perceived need factors, those who had difficulties with social situations were more likely to use services. Having a mood disorder and (or) having a diagnosed chronic illness were the evaluated need factors associated with service use.


CONCLUSIONS
Certain groups of young Canadians are less likely to seek help for mental health problems and could be the target of interventions aimed at increasing service use.
Bergeron
Emilie
E
Faculty of Medicine, Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Montreal, Quebec.
Poirier
Léo-Roch
LR
Fournier
Louise
L
Roberge
Pasquale
P
Barrette
Geneviève
G
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D003156:Community Mental Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors