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Published Online: 1 April 2011

Psychological Distress Severity of Adults Reporting Receipt of Treatment for Mental Health Problems in the BRFSS

Satvinder S. Dhingra, M.P.H., Matthew M. Zack, M.D., M.P.H., Tara W. Strine, Ph.D., M.P.H., Benjamin G. Druss, M.D., M.P.H., Joyce T. Berry, Ph.D., J.D., and Lina S. Balluz, D.Sc.Authors Info & Affiliations
Publication: Psychiatric Services
Volume 62, Number 4
https://doi.org/10.1176/ps.62.4.pss6204_0396
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Abstract

Objective:

Although effective mental health treatments exist, few population data are available on treatment receipt by persons with psychological distress. This study aimed to understand the association between symptoms and treatment receipt with data from the U.S Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey.

Methods:

In the 2007 survey, psychological distress was assessed with the Kessler-6 scale, and respondents were asked about receipt of mental health treatment. Data from 197,914 respondents were analyzed.

Results:

In the overall population 87.5% of respondents reported no psychological distress, 8.5% mild to moderate psychological distress, and 3.9% serious psychological distress. Those with serious distress were nearly ten times as likely to receive treatment (adjusted odds ratio=9.58, 95% confidence interval=8.53–10.75) as those with no distress. One in ten persons (10.7%) in the study population reported receiving treatment.

Conclusions:

Distinct U.S. subpopulations exist by treatment and symptom status. Better understanding of all these groups is essential for improving population-based mental health care. (Psychiatric Services 62:396–403, 2011)

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Figures and Tables

Figure 1 Unweighted sample sizes and weighted prevalence estimates of treatment need and effectiveness among respondents to the 2007 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, by severity of psychological distress
Table 1 Characteristics of 197,914 respondents to the 2007 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System who had data for all study variables
Table 2 Weighted prevalence estimates of sociodemographic characteristics among 197,914 respondents to the 2007 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, by treatment status and severity of psychological distress (none, mild to moderate, or serious)
Table 3 Logistic regression to determine predictors of receipt of medication or other treatment for mental or emotional problems by respondents to the 2007 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey

Information & Authors

Information

Published In

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Cover: Maine Headland, Black Head, Monhegan Island, by N. C. Wyeth, 1934. Oil on canvas, 48¼ × 52¼ inches. Farnsworth Art Museum, Rockland Maine, bequest of Mrs. Elizabeth B. Noyce, 1997.3.59.
Psychiatric Services
Volume 62 • Number 4 • April 2011
Pages: 396 - 403
PubMed: 21459991

History

Published online: 1 April 2011
Published in print: April 2011

Authors

Affiliations

Satvinder S. Dhingra, M.P.H.
Mr. Dhingra, Dr. Zack, Dr. Strine, and Dr. Balluz are affiliated with the Division of Adult and Community Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Highway, Mailstop K66, Atlanta, GA 30341 (e-mail: [email protected]).
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Matthew M. Zack, M.D., M.P.H.
Mr. Dhingra, Dr. Zack, Dr. Strine, and Dr. Balluz are affiliated with the Division of Adult and Community Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Highway, Mailstop K66, Atlanta, GA 30341 (e-mail: [email protected]).
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Tara W. Strine, Ph.D., M.P.H.
Mr. Dhingra, Dr. Zack, Dr. Strine, and Dr. Balluz are affiliated with the Division of Adult and Community Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Highway, Mailstop K66, Atlanta, GA 30341 (e-mail: [email protected]).
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Benjamin G. Druss, M.D., M.P.H.
Dr. Druss is with the Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta.
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Joyce T. Berry, Ph.D., J.D.
Dr. Berry is with the Center for Mental Health Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Rockville, Maryland.
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Lina S. Balluz, D.Sc.
Mr. Dhingra, Dr. Zack, Dr. Strine, and Dr. Balluz are affiliated with the Division of Adult and Community Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Highway, Mailstop K66, Atlanta, GA 30341 (e-mail: [email protected]).
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Acknowledgments and Disclosures

The findings and conclusions are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
The authors report no competing interests.

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