Abstract
Objectives. I assessed recent trends in mental health disability in the US nonelderly adult population in the context of trends in physical disabilities and psychological distress. Methods. Using data for 312364 adults aged 18 to 64 years from the US National Health Interview Survey, 1997 to 2009, I examined time trends in selfreported disability attributed to mental health conditions, disability attributed to other chronic problems, and significant psychological distress (measured by using the K6 instrument). Results. The prevalence of self-reported mental health disability increased from 2.0% of the nonelderly adult population in the first 3 years (1997 to 1999) to 2.7% in the last 3 years (2007 to 2009), corresponding to an increase of almost 2 million disabled adults. Disability attributed to other chronic conditions decreased and significant psychological distress did not change appreciably. Change in self-reported mental health disability was more pronounced in adults who also reported disability attributed to other chronic conditions or significant psychological distress but who had no mental health contacts in the past year. Conclusions. These findings highlight the need for improved access to mental health services in the community and for better integration of these services with primary care.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 2156-2163 |
| Number of pages | 8 |
| Journal | American Journal of Public Health |
| Volume | 101 |
| Issue number | 11 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Nov 1 2011 |
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ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
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National trends in mental health disability, 1997-2009. / Mojtabai, Ramin.
In: American Journal of Public Health, Vol. 101, No. 11, 01.11.2011, p. 2156-2163.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - National trends in mental health disability, 1997-2009
AU - Mojtabai, Ramin
PY - 2011/11/1
Y1 - 2011/11/1
N2 - Objectives. I assessed recent trends in mental health disability in the US nonelderly adult population in the context of trends in physical disabilities and psychological distress. Methods. Using data for 312364 adults aged 18 to 64 years from the US National Health Interview Survey, 1997 to 2009, I examined time trends in selfreported disability attributed to mental health conditions, disability attributed to other chronic problems, and significant psychological distress (measured by using the K6 instrument). Results. The prevalence of self-reported mental health disability increased from 2.0% of the nonelderly adult population in the first 3 years (1997 to 1999) to 2.7% in the last 3 years (2007 to 2009), corresponding to an increase of almost 2 million disabled adults. Disability attributed to other chronic conditions decreased and significant psychological distress did not change appreciably. Change in self-reported mental health disability was more pronounced in adults who also reported disability attributed to other chronic conditions or significant psychological distress but who had no mental health contacts in the past year. Conclusions. These findings highlight the need for improved access to mental health services in the community and for better integration of these services with primary care.
AB - Objectives. I assessed recent trends in mental health disability in the US nonelderly adult population in the context of trends in physical disabilities and psychological distress. Methods. Using data for 312364 adults aged 18 to 64 years from the US National Health Interview Survey, 1997 to 2009, I examined time trends in selfreported disability attributed to mental health conditions, disability attributed to other chronic problems, and significant psychological distress (measured by using the K6 instrument). Results. The prevalence of self-reported mental health disability increased from 2.0% of the nonelderly adult population in the first 3 years (1997 to 1999) to 2.7% in the last 3 years (2007 to 2009), corresponding to an increase of almost 2 million disabled adults. Disability attributed to other chronic conditions decreased and significant psychological distress did not change appreciably. Change in self-reported mental health disability was more pronounced in adults who also reported disability attributed to other chronic conditions or significant psychological distress but who had no mental health contacts in the past year. Conclusions. These findings highlight the need for improved access to mental health services in the community and for better integration of these services with primary care.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=80055008125&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=80055008125&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.2105/AJPH.2011.300258
DO - 10.2105/AJPH.2011.300258
M3 - Article
C2 - 21940913
AN - SCOPUS:80055008125
VL - 101
SP - 2156
EP - 2163
JO - American Journal of Public Health
JF - American Journal of Public Health
SN - 0090-0036
IS - 11
ER -