An Evaluation of Racial and Ethnic Health Differences in State Mental Health Inpatient Services: 2002-2005 Versus 2010-2011

J Behav Health Serv Res. 2017 Apr;44(2):242-262. doi: 10.1007/s11414-016-9539-2.

Abstract

This study analyzed racial-ethnic differences previously documented in the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services mental health inpatient system across two time periods (2002-2005 and 2010-2011). Comparisons of logistic regression analyses from the two time periods showed that, at time 1, significant racial-ethnic differences were found for referral by other sources (e.g., outpatient), length of stay, discharge against medical advice, and some diagnostic differences (e.g., schizophrenia, other psychotic disorders, cluster B discharge diagnosis), but these differences were not significant at time 2. Other diagnostic differences remained significant at time 2 (e.g., mood disorders, substance use disorders, other axis I disorders, mental retardation) as well as racial-ethnic differences in self-referral. These results suggest that the multiple national and state cultural competence initiatives between time 1 and time 2 could have resulted in decreases in racial-ethnic differences. Targeted interventions to alleviate the remaining differences are needed.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cultural Competency*
  • Culturally Competent Care*
  • Ethnicity
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Inpatients
  • Male
  • Mental Disorders / ethnology*
  • Mental Disorders / therapy*
  • Mental Health
  • Mental Health Services / standards*
  • Middle Aged
  • Racial Groups
  • Young Adult