The Need Factors Associated With Adequate Depression Treatment Utilization Among U.S. Adolescents

This study aimed to assess need factors associated with adequate treatment utilization among adolescents experiencing depression.

Nationally representative data from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (2008-2019) were analyzed via logistic regression. Predictors of adequate depression treatment utilization included household reporting of adolescents' mental health, functional impairment, and general medical health. Adequate treatment utilization was defined as four or more outpatient or office-based visits with an active antidepressant prescription or eight or more outpatient or office-based psychotherapy visits across 12 months.

Of the 887 adolescents (ages 12-17) with depression identified, 276 (34% weighted) utilized adequate treatment. Adequate treatment utilization was positively associated with reports of adolescents' poor mental health and functional impairment (OR=1.69, p<0.001 and OR=1.43, p=0.004, respectively) and negatively associated with reports of adolescents' general medical health (OR=0.55, p<0.001).

Future interventions should include psychoeducation for caregivers in order to increase recognition of adolescents' mental health status and impairments.