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Predisposing, Enabling and Need Correlates of Mental Health Treatment Utilization Among Homeless Men

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Abstract

There is significant unmet need for mental health treatment among homeless men, but little is known about the correlates of treatment utilization in this population. Within the framework of the Behavioral Model for Vulnerable Populations, this study examines predisposing, enabling and need factors that may be associated with mental health care utilization. Participants were a representative sample of 305 heterosexually active homeless men utilizing meal programs in the Skid Row region of LA. Logistic regression examined the association between predisposing, enabling and need factors and past 30 day mental health service utilization on Skid Row. Results indicated that while need, operationalized as positive screens for posttraumatic stress disorder or depression, was associated with recent mental health care utilization, predisposing and enabling factors were also related to utilization. African-American homeless men, and those men who also reported substance abuse treatment and drop-in center use, had increased odds of reporting mental health care utilization.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Social Work, University of Southern California, 669 W. 34th Street, Los Angeles, CA, 90089-0411, USA

    Harmony Rhoades & Suzanne L. Wenzel

  2. RAND Corporation, 1776 Main Street, P.O. Box 2138, Santa Monica, CA, 90407, USA

    Daniela Golinelli, Joan S. Tucker, David P. Kennedy & Brett Ewing

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  1. Harmony Rhoades
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  2. Suzanne L. Wenzel
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  3. Daniela Golinelli
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  4. Joan S. Tucker
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  5. David P. Kennedy
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Correspondence to Harmony Rhoades.

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Rhoades, H., Wenzel, S.L., Golinelli, D. et al. Predisposing, Enabling and Need Correlates of Mental Health Treatment Utilization Among Homeless Men. Community Ment Health J 50, 943–952 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-014-9718-7

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