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Persons with intellectual disability receiving psychiatric treatment
G Driessen1, M DuMoulin, M J Haveman
1Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, Maastricht University, The Netherlands.
Journal of Intellectual Disability Research : JIDR
|January 16, 1998
Summary
Older age, milder intellectual disability, and living alone increase psychiatric service use in individuals with intellectual disability. Living alone significantly predicts higher mental health care consumption.
Area of Science:
- Intellectual Disability Services
- Psychiatric Care Utilization
- Mental Health Epidemiology
Background:
- Understanding factors influencing psychiatric service access for individuals with intellectual disability is crucial for equitable healthcare.
- Previous research indicates variability in mental health care consumption within this population, necessitating further investigation into specific determinants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify key determinants influencing referral to psychiatric services among individuals with intellectual disability.
- To analyze factors associated with the quantity of mental health care consumed by this population.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from a cumulative mental health case register in a defined geographical area.
- Analyzed associations between demographic factors (age, gender), disability level, social environment (living situation), and psychiatric service referral and consumption.
- Expressed associations using odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).
Main Results:
- Older age (OR = 1.9) and living alone (OR = 5.8) were significant predictors of higher psychiatric referral rates.
- Milder intellectual disability showed a trend towards higher referral probability (OR = 1.4), though not statistically significant.
- Living alone was strongly associated with increased mental health service consumption (OR = 15.3).
Conclusions:
- Social environment, particularly living alone, is a critical factor influencing both psychiatric service access and utilization intensity in individuals with intellectual disability.
- Age and disability severity also play roles in psychiatric care engagement, highlighting the need for tailored support systems.
- These findings underscore the importance of considering social determinants in mental health service planning for individuals with intellectual disability.