title: How large is the gap between self-report and assessed mental health and does it impact older adult mental health service utilization?
abstract: We examined the relationship between self-reported and assessed mental health status and service use, using data from the Health and Retirement Study (N = 9,547). Twelve percent and thirty percent had inaccurate perceptions of their mood and memory status, respectively. No significant difference was found in the likelihood of service use between older adults who were unaware of current depressive symptoms and those who self-reported problems but had no assessed symptoms. Older adults who scored low in cognitive test were more likely to use services, regardless of self-reported memory status. Discrepancies between self-reported and assessed status may contribute to service utilization.
authors: a Department of Gerontology , University of Massachusetts Boston , Boston , USA.
authors: Hyo Jung
authors: HJ
authors: Lee
authors: Elizabeth
authors: E
authors: Dugan
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012179:Retirement / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D057566:Self Report / Q000592:standards*
keywords: depression; memory problem; mental health service utilization; older adults; patient self-report