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Geographic location and mental health services utilization among the chronically mentally Ill

Community Mental Health Journal volume 25, pages 132–144 (1989)Cite this article

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between geographic location and use of mental health services using data collected on 1053 Community Support Program (CSP) clients. Multiple regression analyses revealed that geographic location (i.e., urban, suburban, rural) influences mental health services utilization even when service availability and accessibility, socio-demographic and need factors are controlled. The results do not support the assumption that rural residence has uniformly negative effects on service use. Rural CSP clients, for example, were more likely to use crisis and supportive housing services than their urban counterparts. The findings suggest that models of service utilization must be carefully specified with regard to residential location.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Social and Demographic Research Institute, University of Massachusetts-Amherst, W-34 Machmer Hall, Amherst, MA, 01003

    Ira Sommers D.S.W.

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  1. Ira Sommers D.S.W.
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Additional information

Work on this paper was supported in part by a NIMH grant: # 5 T32 MH17120-04. A special thanks to Rick Tessler for his insightful comments on an earlier draft.

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Sommers, I. Geographic location and mental health services utilization among the chronically mentally Ill. Community Ment Health J 25, 132–144 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00755385

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00755385

Keywords

  • Public Health
  • Mental Health
  • Regression Analysis
  • Mental Health Service
  • Geographic Location