Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

US Patterns of Mental Health Service Utilization for Transition-Age Youth and Young Adults

  • Regular Article
  • Published:
The Journal of Behavioral Health Services & Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This study examines rates of admission and patterns of mental health service use by persons of transition age (16–25 years) in the USA based on the nationally representative 1997 Client/Patient Sample Survey and population data from the US Census Bureau. A precipitous decline in utilization was observed at the age of emancipation: the yearly admission rate for inpatient, outpatient, and residential services was 34 per 1,000 for 16- and 17-year-olds and 18 per 1,000 for 18- and 19-year-olds. Among 20- and 21-year-olds, more were referred from criminal justice and fewer from family or friends and social services, and proportionately more were Medicaid recipients. Targeting resources to enhance shared planning between child and adult systems may facilitate continuity of care for young adult clients who are aging out of child mental health systems, as well as for those who experience their first episodes of mental disorder in early adulthood.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Figure 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Clark HB, Davis M, eds. Transition to Adulthood: A Resource for Assisting Young People with Emotional or Behavioral Difficulties. Baltimore: Brookes; 2000.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Davis M, Sondheimer DL. State child mental health efforts to support youth in transition to adulthood. Journal of Behavioral Health Services and Research. 2005;32(1):27–42.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Davis M, Vander Stoep A. The transition to adulthood for youth who have serious emotional disturbance: Developmental transition and young adult outcomes. Journal of Mental Health Administration. 1997;24(4):400–427.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Davis M, Banks S, Fisher W, et al. Longitudinal patterns of offending during the transition to adulthood in youth from the mental health system. Journal of Behavioral Health Services and Research. 2004;31(4):351–366.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Vander Stoep A, Beresford SA, Weiss NS, et al. Community-based study of the transition to adulthood for adolescents with psychiatric disorder. American Journal of Epidemiology. 2000;152:352–362.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Costello EJ, Angold A, Burns B, et al. The Great Smoky Mountains study of youth: Functional impairment and serious emotional disturbance. Archives of General Psychiatry. 1996;53:1137–1143.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Cohen P, Cohen T, Kasen S, et al. An epidemiological study of disorders in late adolescence and adolescence: I: Age- and gender-specific prevalence. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry. 1993;34:851–867.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Leaf PJ, Alegria M, Cohen P, et al. Mental health service use in the community and schools: Results from the four-community MECA study. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. 1996;35:889–897.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Kessler RC. The National Comorbidity Survey of the United States. International Review of Psychiatry. 1994;6(4):365–376.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Kessler RC. Building on the ECA: The National Comorbidity Survey and the Children’s ECA. International Journal of Methods in Psychiatric Research. 1994;4(2):81–94.

    Google Scholar 

  11. Kessler RC, Berglund P, Demler O, et al. Lifetime prevalence and age-of-onset distributions of DSM-IV disorders in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication. Archives of General Psychiatry. 2005;62(6):593–603.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Mrazek PJ, Haggerty RJ, eds. Reducing Risks for Mental Disorders: Frontiers for Preventive Intervention Research. Washington, DC: National Academy Press; 1994.

    Google Scholar 

  13. Davis M, Koroloff N. The great divide: How public mental health policy fails young adults. In: Fisher WH, ed. Community Based Mental Health Services for Children and Adolescent. Oxford: Elsevier Sciences; 2006:53–74.

    Google Scholar 

  14. Newman DL, Moffitt TE, Caspi A, et al. Psychiatric disorder in a birth cohort of young adults: Prevalence, comorbidity, clinical significance, and new case incidence from ages 11 to 21. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology. 1996;64(3):552–562.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Kim-Cohen J, Caspi A, Moffitt TE, et al. Prior juvenile diagnoses in adults with mental disorder: Developmental follow-back of a prospective-longitudinal cohort. Archives of General Psychiatry. 2003;60(7):709–717.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Results from the 2004 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: National Findings (Office of Applied Studies, NSDUH Series H-28, DHHS Publication No. SMA 05-4062). Rockville: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration; 2005

    Google Scholar 

  17. Murray RM, van Os J. Predictors of outcome in schizophrenia. Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology. 1998;18:2S–4S.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Beiser M, Erickson D, Fleming UF, et al. Establishing the onset of psychotic illness. American Journal of Psychiatry. 1993;150:1349–1354.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Silver S, Duchnowski A, Kutash K, et al. A comparison of children with serious emotional disturbance served in residential and school settings. Journal of Child and Family Studies. 1992;1:43–59.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Greenbaum P, Prange M, Friedman R, et al. Substance abuse prevalence and comorbidity with other psychiatric disorders among adolescents with severe emotional disturbances. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. 1991;30:575–583.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Milazzo-Sayre LJ, Henderson MJ, Manderscheid RW, et al. Persons treated in specialty mental health care programs, United States, 1997. In: Manderscheid RW, Henderson MJ, eds. Mental Health, United States, 2000. DHHS Pub. No. (SMA)01-3537. Washington, DC: National Institute of Mental Health; 2001:172–217.

    Google Scholar 

  22. US Census, Population Estimates Bureau, Population division. Population estimates for the United States by single year of age and sex, July 1, 1997. Available at: http://www.census.gov/popest/archives/1990s/stas/st-99-12.txt. Accessed September 7, 2007.

  23. Center for Mental Health Services. Sources and qualifications of data from the survey of mental health organizations. In: Manderscheid RM, Henderson MJ, eds. Mental Health, United States, 2002. DHHS Pub. No. (SMA)3938. Rockville: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration; 2004:369–372.

    Google Scholar 

  24. American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 4th Edition. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Press; 1994.

    Google Scholar 

  25. Friedman R, Katz-Levy J, Manderscheid R, et al. Prevalence of serious emotional disturbance in children and adolescents. In: Manderscheid RW, Sonnenschein MA, eds. Mental Health, United States 1996. Washington, DC: US Government Printing Office; 1996:71–89.

    Google Scholar 

  26. Research Triangle Institute. SUDAAN User’s Manual, Release 9.0.1. Research Triangle Park: Research Triangle Institute; 2005.

    Google Scholar 

  27. Kessler RC, Demler O, Frank RG, et al. Prevalence and treatment of mental disorders, 1990 to 2003. The New England Journal of Medicine. 2005;352:2515–2524.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Center for Mental Health Services. Selected characteristics of adults treated in specialty mental health care programs. In: Manderscheid RM, Henderson MJ, eds. Mental Health, United States, 2002. DHHS Pub. No. (SMA) 3938. Rockville: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration; 2004.

    Google Scholar 

  29. Pottick KJ, Warner LA, Isaacs M, et al. Children and adolescents treated in specialty mental health care programs in the United States: 1986 and 1997. In: Manderscheid RW, Henderson MJ, eds. Mental Health, United States, 2000. DHHS Pub. No. (SMA) 3938. Rockville: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration; 2000:314–326.

    Google Scholar 

  30. Pottick KJ, McAlpine DD, Andelman RB. Changing patterns of psychiatric inpatient care for children and adolescents in general hospitals, 1988–1995. American Journal of Psychiatry. 2000;157(8):1267–1273.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Mechanic D, McAlpine DD, Olfson M. Changing patterns of psychiatric inpatient care in the United States, 1988–1994. Archives of General Psychiatry. 1998;55(9):785–791.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Vander Stoep A. Through the cracks: Transition to adulthood for severely psychiatrically impaired youth. In: 4th Annual Research Conference Proceedings, A System of Care for Children’s Mental Health: Expanding the Research Base (March 3–7, 1992). Tampa: University of South Florida, Florida Mental Health Institute, Research and Training Center for Children’s Mental Health; 1992:357–368.

  33. Farhal J, Trauer T, Newton R, et al. Minimizing adverse effects on patients of involuntary relocation from long-stay wards to community residences. Psychiatric Services. 2003;7:1022–1027.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. Boyer CA, McAlpine D, Pottick KJ, et al. Identifying risk factors and key strategies in linkage to outpatient psychiatric care. American Journal of Psychiatry 2000;157(10):1582–1598.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. Olfson M, Mechanic D, Boyer CA, et al. Linking inpatients with schizophrenia to outpatient care. Psychiatric Services. 1998;49(7):911–917.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Davis M, Butler M. Service System Supports During the Transition from Adolescence to Adulthood: Parent Perspectives. Alexandria: National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors; 2002.

    Google Scholar 

  37. Vander Stoep A, Taub J, Holcomb L. Follow-up of adolescents with severe psychiatric impairment into young adulthood. In: 6th Annual Research Conference Proceedings, A System of Care for Children’s Mental Health: Expanding the Research Base (March 3–7, 1994). Tampa: University of South Florida, Florida Mental Health Institute, Research and Training Center for Children’s Mental Health; 1994:315–320.

  38. US Census Bureau. Current Population Survey, 2005 and 2006 Annual Social and Economic Supplements. (Table 8. People with and without health insurance coverage by selected characteristics) Washington, DC: US Census Bureau

  39. Vander Stoep A, Davis M, Collins D. Transition: A time of developmental and institutional clashes. In: Clark HB, Davis M, eds. Transition to Adulthood: A Resource for Assisting Young People with Emotional or Behavioral Difficulties. Baltimore: Brookes; 2000:3–28.

    Google Scholar 

  40. Fergusson D, Horwood LJ, Ridder EM. Conduct and attentional problems in childhood and adolescence and later substance use, abuse and dependence: Results of a 25-year longitudinal study. Drug and Alcohol Dependence. 2007;88S:S14–S26.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  41. Pardini D, White HR, Stouthamer-Loeber M. Early adolescent psychopathology as a predictor of alcohol use disorders by young adulthood. Drug and Alcohol Dependence. 2007;88S:S38–S49.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  42. Lewinsohn PM, Rohde P, Klein DN, et al. Natural course of adolescent major depressive disorder: I. Continuity into young adulthood. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. 1999;38(1):56–63.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  43. Kessler RC, Price R. Primary prevention of secondary disorders: A proposal and agenda. American Journal of Community Psychology. 1993;21(5):607–633.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  44. Davis M, Clark HB. Transition: Current issues and recommendations for the future. In: Clark HB, Davis M, eds. Transition to Adulthood: A Resource for Assisting Young People with Emotional or Behavioral Difficulties. Baltimore: Brookes; 2000:267–276.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Professor, School of Social Work and Institute for Health, Health Care Policy and Aging Research, Rutgers University, 536 George Street, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, USA

    Kathleen J. Pottick PhD

  2. Institute for Health, Health Care Policy and Aging Research, Rutgers University, 30 College Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, USA

    Scott Bilder MS & Mike F. Alvarez BA

  3. Department of Psychiatry, Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Department of Epidemiology, Child Health Institute, University of Washington, Box 354920, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA

    Ann Vander Stoep PhD

  4. School of Social Welfare, University at Albany, 135 Western Avenue, Albany, NY, 12222, USA

    Lynn A. Warner PhD

Authors
  1. Kathleen J. Pottick PhD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Scott Bilder MS
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Ann Vander Stoep PhD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Lynn A. Warner PhD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Mike F. Alvarez BA
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kathleen J. Pottick PhD.

Additional information

This study was supported in part by a grant from the Annie E. Casey Foundation (201.0034) and by an undergraduate educational training grant from the National Institute of Mental Health (MH 58908) at the Institute for Health, Health Care Policy and Aging Research, Rutgers University.

Appendix

Appendix

Table 4 Census population base by age group 1997
Full size table

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Pottick, K.J., Bilder, S., Vander Stoep, A. et al. US Patterns of Mental Health Service Utilization for Transition-Age Youth and Young Adults. J Behav Health Serv Res 35, 373–389 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11414-007-9080-4

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11414-007-9080-4

Keywords

Search

Navigation