Li-Tzy Wu
Publications [#136925] of Li-Tzy Wu
Journal Articles
- LT Wu, AC Kouzis, PJ Leaf, Influence of comorbid alcohol and psychiatric disorders on utilization of mental health services in the National Comorbidity Survey.,
The American journal of psychiatry, vol. 156 no. 8
(August, 1999),
pp. 1230-6, ISSN 0002-953X
(last updated on 2013/06/01)Abstract:
OBJECTIVE: This study sought to determine how comorbidity of psychiatric and substance abuse disorders affects the likelihood of using mental health services. METHODS: The analysis was based on data on adults aged 18-54 years in the National Comorbidity Survey (N = 5,393). Users and nonusers of mental health and substance abuse services were compared in terms of their demographic characteristics, recent stressful life events, social support, parental history of psychopathology, self-medication, and symptoms of alcohol abuse/dependence. RESULTS: The prevalence of service utilization varied by diagnostic configurations. Comorbid psychiatric or alcohol disorders were stronger predictors of service utilization than a pure psychiatric or alcohol disorder. Factors predicting utilization of services differed for each disorder. CONCLUSIONS: Since comorbidity increases the use of mental health and substance abuse services, research on the relationship of psychiatric and alcohol-related disorders to service utilization needs to consider the coexistence of mental disorders. Attempts to reduce barriers to help seeking for those in need of treatment should be increased.Keywords:
Adolescent • Adult • Age Factors • Alcoholism • Comorbidity • Continental Population Groups • Diagnosis, Dual (Psychiatry) • Factor Analysis, Statistical • Female • Humans • Male • Marital Status • Mental Disorders • Mental Health Services • Middle Aged • Odds Ratio • Probability • Sex Factors • Substance Abuse Treatment Centers • United States • diagnosis • epidemiology • epidemiology* • utilization • utilization*