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Updated: Jan 9, 2026
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A Modified Trier Social Stress Test for Vulnerable Mexican American Adolescents
Published on: July 10, 2017
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Differences in Adolescent Psychological Distress and Perceived Need for Help: Findings From a State Population-Based
Blanche Wright1, D Imelda Padilla-Frausto2, Grace M Hindmarch3
1Department of Psychology, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon.
Summary
Many adolescents with psychological distress do not perceive a need for mental health help. Early identification and screening are crucial for connecting vulnerable youth, especially females and White adolescents, to necessary support.
Area of Science:
- Adolescent mental health
- Public health surveillance
- Psychological distress
Background:
- Early identification of adolescent mental health problems is crucial for timely support and long-term well-being.
- Population-based surveys are vital for understanding mental health needs across diverse youth demographics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if adolescents with elevated psychological distress perceive a need for mental health services.
- To identify adolescent groups most vulnerable to high distress and perceived need for help.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the 2019 California Health Interview Survey, encompassing 3.1 million adolescents.
- Included measures for psychological distress (Kessler-6) and perceived need for mental health help.
- Analyzed demographic factors, social determinants of health, and disparities in distress and help-seeking.
Main Results:
- 45.5% of youth with moderate/serious distress denied needing mental health help.
- Females and White adolescents showed higher odds of distress and perceived need compared to males and other racial/ethnic groups.
- Distress levels were associated with perceived need, but significant discrepancies were observed.
Conclusions:
- Despite correlations, a notable gap exists between psychological distress and perceived need for mental health support in adolescents.
- Comprehensive screening is essential to identify and connect all adolescents, particularly vulnerable groups, to appropriate mental health services.
- Addressing disparities in distress and help-seeking is critical for equitable adolescent mental healthcare.
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