Strategic Points 2 And 10: Factor Responsibilities ✓ Solved

10 Strategic Points 2 10 Strategic Points 2 Factor Responsib

Factor Responsible for Poor Utilization of Mental Health Services in Texas.

This study aims to explore the factors responsible for the poor utilization of mental health services in Texas, particularly focusing on the barriers that prevent individuals from seeking help.

Paper For Above Instructions

Introduction

The underutilization of mental health services is a pervasive issue affecting various demographics, particularly vulnerable populations such as low-income individuals and ethnic minorities in Texas. Despite increasing awareness about mental health, a significant treatment gap remains. According to Kohn et al. (2018), many individuals suffering from mental disorders do not receive adequate treatment, exposing a critical need to address the factors contributing to this issue.

Literature Review: Factors Influencing Utilization

Research has identified various barriers impacting the utilization of mental health services. Basu et al. (2016) discuss the effects of recent welfare reforms on healthcare access, particularly among low-income women in Texas. Similarly, Ly (2019) emphasizes cultural barriers faced by Vietnamese Americans, indicating that mental health interventions must be culturally sensitive to improve service utilization. Kwan et al. (2020) also highlight the significance of stigma, language barriers, and the costs associated with healthcare, which discourage Pacific Islanders from seeking mental health support.

Moreover, the qualitative study by Volkert et al. (2018) illustrates that elderly individuals often choose not to utilize mental health services due to self-reliance. Many elderly respondents in the study believed they could handle their mental health issues independently, indicating a need for educational interventions to modify these perceptions. The Social Cognitive Theory (Bandura, 1994) underscores the influence of self-efficacy on behavioral choices, which aligns with the findings of these studies, suggesting that reinforcing self-efficacy could potentially enhance service utilization.

Theoretical Framework

This study will utilize Albert Bandura’s Social Cognitive Theory as a framework to dissect the factors hindering mental health service utilization. Bandura’s model highlights the interplay between personal beliefs, environmental factors, and individual behaviors (Morin & Cherry, 2019). Specifically, two components of this theory—self-efficacy and behavioral capability—will be critically examined. Increasing individuals’ confidence in their ability to seek help could catalyze positive changes in their mental health behavior.

Research Methodology

This qualitative descriptive study will focus on understanding the perspectives of mental health providers and caregivers in Harris County, Texas. The methodology will include semi-structured interviews to collect firsthand accounts of their experiences and insights regarding factors influencing service utilization. The sample will consist of 20 participants, including mental health providers and caregivers associated with organizations such as Mental Health America (MHA) and the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).

Data collection will revolve around informed consent, followed by recorded interviews and focus group discussions. These interactions will provide valuable qualitative data to identify prevalent themes regarding the barriers faced by individuals when seeking mental health services.

Analysis and Expected Outcomes

Data analysis will be facilitated through MaxQDA software, allowing for coding and thematic analysis. This process will enable the identification of key barriers and facilitators to mental health service utilization identified by participants. Further, high-level summaries of interview responses will be communicated back to participants to ensure accuracy and obtain feedback, following the member-checking process (Colorafi & Evans, 2016).

The anticipated findings of this study will contribute to the existing literature on mental health service utilization by providing a nuanced understanding of the factors that contribute to both the acceptance and rejection of mental health treatment. Understanding these dynamics could inform targeted interventions aimed at increasing service utilization among underrepresented populations in Texas.

Conclusion

The poor utilization of mental health services in Texas is a multifaceted issue requiring an in-depth examination of underlying causes. By quantitatively assessing provider insights, this study aims to shed light on barriers that hinder access to mental health care and propose actionable strategies to facilitate better service uptake among vulnerable populations.

References

  • Basu, S., Rehkopf, D. H., Siddiqi, A., Glymour, M. M., & Kawachi, I. (2016). Health behaviors, mental health, and health care utilization among single mothers after welfare reforms in the 1990s. American Journal of Epidemiology, 183(6), 493-500. doi:10.1093/aje/kwv249
  • Bradshaw, C., Atkinson, S., & Doody, O. (2017). Employing a Qualitative Description Approach in Health Care Research. Global Qualitative Nursing Research, 4. doi:10.1177/2333393617740203
  • Colorafi, K. J., & Evans, B. (2016). Qualitative descriptive methods in health science research. HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal, 9(4), 16-25.
  • De Luca, S. M., Blosnich, J. R., Hentschel, E. A., King, E., & Amen, S. (2016). Mental health care utilization: How race, ethnicity and veteran status are associated with seeking help. Community Mental Health Journal, 52(2), 253-259.
  • Eslami, A. A., Norozi, E., Hajihosseini, M., Ramazani, A. A., & Miri, M. R. (2018). Social cognitive theory as a theoretical framework to predict sustained abstinence 6 months after substance use treatment. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Taylor & Francis Ltd.
  • Kwan, P. P., Soniega-Sherwood, J., Esmundo, S., Watts, J., Pike, J., Sabado-Liwag, M., & Palmer, P. H. (2020). Access and utilization of mental health services among pacific islanders. Asian American Journal of Psychology, 11(2), 69-78.
  • Kohn, R., Ali, A. A., Puac-Polanco, V., Figueroa, C., López-Soto, V., Morgan, K., & Vicente, B. (2018). Mental health in the Americas: An overview of the treatment gap. Revista Panamericana De Salud Pública, 42. doi:10.26633/RPSP.2018.165
  • Lund, C., Brooke-Sumner, C., Baingana, F., Baron, E. C., Breuer, E., Chandra, P., . . . Saxena, S. (2018). Social determinants of mental disorders and the sustainable development goals: A systematic review of reviews. The Lancet Psychiatry, 5(4), 547-557.
  • Morin, A. & Cherry, K. (2019). How Social Learning Theory Works. Retrieved from Psychology today.

Related Assignments