Abstract
This study examined the prevalence of mental health and substance abuse disorders and service utilization among a racially and ethnically diverse group of foster youth. Self-report data on symptoms and service receipt were used to identify whether groups of adolescents defined by their race and ethnicity were equally likely to receive services given the presence of a mental health or substance use disorder. Study findings showed that Caucasians are more likely to receive mental health services than African Americans. Race was not a significant predictor of accessing substance abuse services. Hispanic ethnicity was not a predictor of receipt of mental health or substance abuse treatment services. Implications for future research, practice, and policy are discussed.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 521-545 |
| Number of pages | 25 |
| Journal | Journal of Public Child Welfare |
| Volume | 5 |
| Issue number | 5 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Oct 2011 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:Received: 08/24/09; revised: 02/17/11; accepted: 02/19/11 Financial support for this research was provided by the state child welfare agencies of Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin, the William T. Grant Foundation, and a training grant from the National Institute of Mental Health (T32 MH16089-28). Address correspondence to Antonio Garcia, Assistant Professor, University of Pennsylvania, School of Social Policy and Practice, 3701 Locust Walk, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. E-mail: argarcia@casrc.org
Keywords
- adolescents
- disparities
- foster care
- mental health
- service utilization
- substance abuse
- teens
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Developmental and Educational Psychology
- Sociology and Political Science
