title: Predictors of mental healthcare use among domestic violence survivors in shelters.
abstract: We examined sociodemographic and illness/need associations with mental health care use and service use intensity (i.e., number of visits) among domestic violence survivors. Data from 252 women recruited from 5 Midwestern domestic violence shelters were analyzed. Univariate analyses indicated a more positive treatment attitude was related to increased mental health service use and service use intensity. Second, being Caucasian and greater PTSD severity were associated with increased service use intensity. A sociodemographic and attitudinal multivariate predictor model explained 14% of variance in treatment use intensity, and a need/illness model significantly contributed an additional 10% variance. In contrast, the interaction of PTSD Symptom Severity × Perceived Need was significant. Results demonstrate illness has a significant effect above and beyond sociodemographic variables in accounting for mental health care use, and that PTSD severity moderated the relationship between perceived need and service use.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, The University of South Dakota.
authors.forename: Jessica J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Klopper
authors.affiliation: School of Health Sciences, The University of South Dakota.
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Schweinle
authors.affiliation: Disaster Mental Health Institute, The University of South Dakota.
authors.forename: Kendra C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Ractliffe
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Toledo.
authors.forename: Jon D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Elhai
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017579:Domestic Violence; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult