A pilot investigation of the rates and predictors of mental health services utilization among depressed African American mothers and their children.
OBJECTIVE
Depressed mothers, especially those who are African American, are likely to underutilize mental health services. Children of depressed mothers are an at-risk population with mental health needs that are often unmet. This prospective pilot study examined 3-month frequency rates and predictors of mental health utilization for a sample of African American depressed mothers and their children.


METHODS
Mothers and 1 of their children completed assessment interviews. Three months later, mothers completed a telephone interview of maternal and child mental health utilization.


RESULTS
Overall, 65.3% of depressed mothers and 36.7% of their children had utilized mental health services. Logistic regression analyses indicated that initial mental health treatment significantly predicted maternal mental health utilization. Maternal reports of child behavioral problems significantly predicted child mental health utilization.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings were consistent with other research and showed evidence of mental health use among African Americans who are in need of such services.
Boyd
Rhonda C
RC
Department of Psychiatry, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA. rboyd@mail.med.upenn.edu
Chen
Emmie
E
Benton
Tami
T
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000628:therapy; D003863:Depression / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D013997:Time Factors