title: Preferences for Professional Assistance for Distress in a Diverse Sample of Older Adults.
abstract: Older adults (N=140; 68.6% minority) participating in community health screenings reported their use and preferences for various professionals and services to deal with distress. Race/ethnicity was recorded based on self-report. A third of participants had discussed distress with some professional within the past year. Compared to Whites, Asian and Black elders were less likely to see a mental health professional or receive counseling in the past year. Almost all participants (89.3%) were willing to discuss distress with some professional; most preferred medical (37.9%) or religious professionals (21.4%). Fewer Asians expressed willingness across most professionals and services. Findings support efforts to integrate mental health with other services, and suggest the need for additional strategies to enhance willingness to use mental health services, especially for Asian elders.
authors.affiliation: Department of Aging and Mental Health, Florida Mental Health Institute, University of South Florida.
authors.forename: Amber M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Gum
authors.forename: Liat
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ayalon
authors.forename: Jared Matt
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Greenberg
authors.forename: Balint
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Palko
authors.forename: Emily
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ruffo
authors.forename: Patricia A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Areán