Social Context in Mental Health Service Use Among Young Adults

ABSTRACT

Examining the sources of health communication that young adults with mental health challenges receive regarding service use is critical to curbing the societal concern of unmet mental health needs of this population. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 59 young adults, all of whom were diagnosed with a mood disorder and used public mental health services and additional public systems of care during childhood. Thematic analysis was utilized. Of the 59 participants, 45 nominated at least one supportive adult, with a total of 97 relationships analyzed. Results indicate that the majority of messages came from informal supports (e.g., family) who spoke positively about mental health services. Fewer messages came from formal supports (e.g., professionals). Messages included statements surrounding beliefs toward services, social norms (approval and disapproval), self-efficacy, and image considerations around using services. These findings can suggest ways that mental health service engagement interventions can leverage communication from informal supports. Future research can explore what messages young adults find most influential in persuading them to use mental health care consistently and the relationship between messages and health behavior.

KEYWORDS:

• Former system youth
• mental health communication
• mood disorders
• service utilization
• social support
• young adults

Acknowledgments

This manuscript was presented as a poster at the Society for Social Work and Research 19th Annual Conference, January 14–18, 2015, New Orleans Marriott.

Funding

The study was supported by a grant from the Ohio Department of Mental Health (ODMH.09.1240). The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.