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Educational level and the use of mental health services, psychotropic medication and psychotherapy among adults with a history of physician diagnosed mental disorders

Author

Listed:
  • Marie Halme
  • Päivi Rautava
  • Lauri Sillanmäki
  • Markku Sumanen
  • Sakari Suominen
  • Jussi Vahtera
  • Pekka Virtanen
  • Paula Salo

Abstract

Background: The prevalence of mental disorders is increased among people of low socioeconomic status or educational level, but it remains unclear whether their access to treatment matches their increased need. Aims: Our objective was to examine whether educational level as an indicator of socioeconomic status is associated with use of mental health services, psychotropic medication and psychotherapy in Finland. Method: Cross-sectional data from a follow-up survey of a longitudinal, population-based cohort study were used to form a sample of 3,053 men and women aged 24 to 68 with a current or previous physician diagnosed mental disorder. The prevalence of mental disorders, mental health service use and educational level were assessed with self-report questionnaire. Educational level was determined by the highest educational attainment and grouped into three levels: high, intermediate and low. The associations between educational level and mental health service -related outcomes were assessed with binary logistic regression. Covariates in the fully adjusted model were age, gender and number of somatic diseases. Results: Compared to high educational level, low educational level was associated with higher odds of using antidepressants (OR 1.35, 95% CI [1.09, 1.66]), hypnotics (OR 1.33, 95% CI [1.07, 1.66]) and sedatives (OR 2.17, 95% CI [1.69, 2.78]), and lower odds of using mental health services (OR 0.80, 95% CI [0.65, 0.98]). No associations were found between educational level and use of psychotherapy. Conclusions: The results do not suggest a general socioeconomic status related mismatch. A pharmacological emphasis was observed in the treatment of low educational background participants, whereas overall mental health service use was emphasized among high educational background participants.

Suggested Citation

  • Marie Halme & Päivi Rautava & Lauri Sillanmäki & Markku Sumanen & Sakari Suominen & Jussi Vahtera & Pekka Virtanen & Paula Salo, 2023. "Educational level and the use of mental health services, psychotropic medication and psychotherapy among adults with a history of physician diagnosed mental disorders," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 69(2), pages 493-502, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:socpsy:v:69:y:2023:i:2:p:493-502
    DOI: 10.1177/00207640221111091
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Rhodes, Anne E. & Goering, Paula N. & To, Teresa & Williams, J. Ivan, 2002. "Gender and outpatient mental health service use," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 54(1), pages 1-10, January.
    2. Christopher Tamborini & ChangHwan Kim & Arthur Sakamoto, 2015. "Education and Lifetime Earnings in the United States," Demography, Springer;Population Association of America (PAA), vol. 52(4), pages 1383-1407, August.
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