title: Race differences in psychopathology and disparities in treatment seeking: Community and jail-based treatment seeking patterns.
abstract: Whites in community samples utilize mental health services at a much higher rate than African Americans (Kessler, et al., 2005). Is this also the case among those in jails? In this study of jail inmates (229 African American, 185 White) there were no race difference in the overall need for mental health treatment (63% of participants had significant symptoms on the Personality Assessment Inventory) but race differences in the level and types of symptoms were evident. Additionally, while Whites were more likely to report pre-incarceration treatment there were no differences in treatment seeking or access to mental health programs while in jail, implying that if barriers to treatment in the community were removed (cost/insurance, location/transportation, time) racial disparities in treatment utilization may be reduced.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology.
authors.forename: Kerstin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Youman
authors.affiliation: Veterans Affairs Capitol Health Care Network (VISN 5), Mental Illness, Research, Education, and Clinical Center.
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Drapalski
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology.
authors.forename: Jeff
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Stuewig
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology.
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bagley
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology.
authors.forename: June
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tangney