ETHNIC AND RACIAL DISPARITIES IN PEDIATRIC MENTAL HEALTH ACCESS AND ADEQUACY OF HEALTH INSURANCE

Background: The U.S. mental health care system is challenged by the need to be responsive to the ethnic and cultural diversity of families and the desire to combat the persistence of ethnic/racial disparities. Consequently, racial/ethnic minority children in the United States are more likely than non-Hispanic White children to have severe and persistent mental, emotional, developmental or behavioral disorders and less likely to access mental health services. This dissertation examines racial/ethnic differences in access to mental health services for children with mental, emotional, behavioral, or developmental disorders and the adequacy of health insurance coverage to meet their needs. Methods: This dissertation begins with a chapter on the background and significance of this topic. The first manuscript discusses the current state of pediatric mental health care, underlining the challenges and potential obstacles for racial/ethnic minority families to access care. The second manuscript examines racial/ethnic disparities in children receiving any mental health services and difficulties in obtaining mental health care. The third manuscript focused on perceived adequacy of health insurance coverage to meet their child’s needs. Results: This study found that being a racial/ethnic minority increases the likelihood of parents reporting difficulty obtaining mental health services and having inadequate insurance coverage. Conclusion: Disparities in mental health care for racial/ethnic minorities represents a serious public health concern. Initiatives to improve access to mental health care for racial/ethnic minorities should recognize these disparities and address the lack of culturally appropriate services within the health care system and health insurance policies