Ethnic Identity, Acculturation, and 12-Month Psychiatric Service Utilization Among Black and Hispanic Adults in the U.S.

A cross-sectional study design was used to examine the associations of ethnic identity, acculturation, and psychiatric service utilization among Wave 2 respondents of the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol Related Conditions with 12-month psychiatric disorders who self-identified as Black (6587, 19%) and Hispanic (6359, 18%). Weighted multivariable regression analyses were conducted to examine the relationships between ethnic identity, acculturation, and 12-month psychiatric service utilization. Stronger ethnic identity was associated with decreased odds of using psychiatric services among Black (AOR = 0.

DISC1 as a Possible Genetic Contribution to Opioid Dependence in a Polish Sample.

Objective: Disrupted-in-schizophrenia 1 (DISC1) has been linked to vulnerability to a variety of psychiatric disorders and neuropsychiatric phenotypes. However, DISC1 has not been frequently examined as a potential risk factor for substance dependence. An association between opioid dependence and DISC1 rs2738888 polymorphism has been recently reported.

Buprenorphine/Naloxone dose and pain intensity among individuals initiating treatment for opioid use disorder.

Background: Opioid use disorder and pain often co-occur, complicating the treatment of each condition. Owing to its partial agonist properties, buprenorphine/naloxone (BUP/NX) may confer advantages over full agonist opioids for treatment of both conditions. The optimal dose of BUP/NX for comorbid pain is not known.

The impact of psychiatric disorders on employment: results from a national survey (NESARC).

In this study we examine the longitudinal effects of psychiatric and substance use disorders on employment, in an employed population. The sample included respondents to the National epidemiologic survey on alcohol related conditions (NESARC) who were employed at Wave 1 (N=22,407). Bivariate and multivariable analyses were conducted examining the associations between 12-month and new onset 12-month psychiatric diagnoses at Wave 1 and employment status at Wave 2.

Depression treatment in older adult veterans.

Objectives: : Older adults in the VA Healthcare System may have an increased risk for depression than those in the general population. These factors may also be associated with the likelihood of receiving depression treatment. This study examined the associations between sociodemographic characteristics, psychiatric comorbidities, and medical comorbidities and the receipt of depression treatment among depressed older adults in the VA.

Longitudinal predictors of first time depression treatment utilization among adults with depressive disorders.

Purpose: Depressive disorders are a growing public health concern, however, a substantial number of depressed individuals do not receive treatment. This study examined the longitudinal predictors of receiving depression treatment among adults with persistent depressive disorders and no lifetime history of treatment.

Methods: The sample included respondents to the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol Related Conditions (NESARC), a large population-based survey, who met criteria for a 12-month major depressive disorder (MDD) or dysthymia (DYS) and had no prior depression treatment.

Economic downturns and population mental health: research findings, gaps, challenges and priorities.

Prior research suggests that the current global economic crisis may be negatively affecting population mental health. In that context, this paper has several goals: (1) to discuss theoretical and conceptual explanations for how and why economic downturns might negatively affect population mental health; (2) present an overview of the literature on the relationship between economic recessions and population mental health; (3) discuss the limitations of existing empirical work; and (4) highlight opportunities for improvements in both research and practice designed to mitigate any negative impact of economic declines on the mental health of populations. Research has consistently demonstrated that economic crises are negatively associated with population mental health.

Cost-related medication nonadherence among beneficiaries with depression following Medicare Part D.

Context: Cost-related medication nonadherence (CRN) was problematic for Medicare beneficiaries with depressive symptoms before Medicare Part D.

Objective: To estimate changes in CRN and forgoing basic needs to pay for drugs among Medicare beneficiaries with and without depressive symptoms following Part D implementation.

Design And Setting: The authors compared changes in outcomes between 2005 and 2006 before and after Part D with changes between 2004 and 2005 using logistic regression to control for demographic characteristics, health status, and historical trends.

Factors influencing cost-related nonadherence to medication in older adults: a conceptually based approach.

Objective: Although multiple noncost factors likely influence a patient's propensity to forego treatment in the face of cost pressures, little is known about how patients' sociodemographic characteristics, physical and behavioral health comorbidities, and prescription regimens influence cost-related nonadherence (CRN) to medications. We sought to determine both financial and nonfinancial factors associated with CRN in a nationally representative sample of older adults.

Methods: We used a conceptual model developed by Piette and colleagues that describes financial and nonfinancial factors that could increase someone's risk of CRN, including income, comorbidities, and medication regimen complexity.

Increases in Medicare prescription drug plan costs attributable to psychotropic medications.

Objective: Older patients may regard some medications, particularly psychotropic medications, as discretionary compared with what they perceive as more "essential " nonpsychiatric medications. Patients' concerns about psychotropic medication costs under Medicare Part D may reinforce these impressions.

Design: The authors examined which Medicare prescription drug plans (PDPs) would be least expensive for beneficiaries considering the costs of 1) all medications; and 2) only nonpsychiatric medications.

Antipsychotic adherence over time among patients receiving treatment for schizophrenia: a retrospective review.

Objective: Approximately 40% of patients with schizophrenia are poorly adherent to their antipsychotics at any given time. However, little is known about patients' adherence over time, although this has important services implications. We examined antipsychotic adherence over 4 years at the aggregate and the individual level among a large cohort of patients.

Longitudinal assessment of inpatient use and functioning of seriously mentally ill veterans with and without co-occurring substance use disorders.

The purpose of this study was to delineate differences in inpatient service utilization and functional and subjective outcomes between veterans with a serious mental illness (SMI) and those with co-occurring serious mental illnesses and substance abuse (SA) disorders. This study assessed 2-year inpatient utilization and outcomes for 682 SMI veterans enrolled in specialized psychosocial treatment programs which did not have a substance abuse focus. Outcomes included psychiatric symptomatology, impairment in activities of daily living, global life satisfaction, days of hospitalization per year, and number of hospital admissions per year.