Perceived Mental Health Status and Health Outcomes of Individuals with Self-Reported Mental Disorders

Abstract

Background: Persons with mental disorders experience numerous disparities in healthcare. Understanding disparities present in the usual source of care, health services use, and health outcomes is imperative. Objectives: Study aims were to examine relationships among population characteristics, health behaviors, and health outcomes; and to determine the differences in the usual source of care and health outcomes in persons with and without self-reported mental disorders. Methods: This study was a secondary analysis of existing data collected from 2006 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey Household Component Consolidated file. A sample of U.S. civilian non-institutionalized adults (N=622) was grouped according to three self-reported health conditions: mental disorders, physical illnesses and co-morbid mental disorders and physical illnesses. Results:The sample was predominantly male, White non-Hispanic and married; had a high school diploma, middle to high income, and private insurance; and preferred office-based clinics as the usual source of care, F(2,29)=5.94, p = .007. No significant differences between groups in usual source of care (p=.069) and physical health status (p=.490) but there was a significant difference in mental health status (p=.001). Conclusion: Mental status of individuals without mental disorders was better than those with mental disorders.