Mental health care access and utilization across sexual and racial-ethnic identity
Nguyen, Daniel M.
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Permalink
https://hdl.handle.net/2142/124590
Description
Title
Mental health care access and utilization across sexual and racial-ethnic identity
Author(s)
Nguyen, Daniel M.
Issue Date
2024-04-30
Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)
Todd, Nathan R
Cohen, Joseph
Department of Study
Psychology
Discipline
Psychology
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
M.S.
Degree Level
Thesis
Keyword(s)
sexual minority health
mental health care
Abstract
Mental health care access and utilization are crucial to supporting mental health and wellbeing; yet differences persist across sexual identity and racial-ethnic groups. The extant literature suggests that, compared to heterosexuals and White people, respectively, sexual minorities (SMs) utilize mental health care more but have less access; and People of Color (POC) utilize care less and have less access. However, less is known about the sexual and racial-ethnic patterns of utilization and access in the context of each other. Thus, in this study we examine mental health care access (i.e., unmet mental health needs) and utilization (i.e., counseling/therapy receipt), as differing based on sexual identity, racial-ethnic identity, and their intersection, using a population-based U.S. sample of adults aged 18-65 (n = 528,191). We hypothesized that the sexual and racial-ethnic differences in unmet needs and utilization would remain significant or become greater among those belonging to marginalized groups along both identities. In line with current research, we found that SMs had both higher utilization and unmet needs compared to heterosexuals, and that POC reported less utilization. We found more complex patterns than expected for racial-ethnic differences in unmet needs; and that despite some important interactions, our hypothesis that differences would be greater for SM POC mostly lacked support. We discuss findings in light of prior literature along with limitations and implications for theory, research, and practice.
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