Socioeconomic status, depression, and health service utilization among adolescent women

This article examines relationships among socioeconomic status (SES), depression, and health services utilization among 5,735 adolescent women. In cross-sectional analyses, effects of SES on having obtained a routine physical examination and use of psychological/emotional counseling in the past year are examined. Then, longitudinal analyses determine the effects of health service utilization on depression at 1 year follow-up (T2) controlling for baseline depression and SES. SES was associated with medical but not mental health service use. SES and health service use independently predicted T2 depression and an income x baseline depression interaction was noted. The findings and their implications are discussed.