Abstract
Objective
To examine the perspectives of youth on factors that influence mental health service
use after aging out of foster care.
Methods
Focus groups were conducted with youth with a history of mental health needs and previous
service use who had aged out of foster care. Questions were informed by the Health
Belief Model and addressed 4 domains: youth perceptions of the “threat of mental health
problems,” treatment benefits versus barriers to accessing mental health services,
self-efficacy, and “cues to action.” Data were analyzed using a modified grounded-theory
approach.
Results
Youth (N = 28) reported ongoing mental health problems affecting their functioning;
however, they articulated variable levels of reliance on formal mental health treatment
versus their own ability to resolve these problems without treatment. Past mental
health service experiences influenced whether youth viewed treatment options as beneficial.
Youth identified limited self-efficacy and insufficient psychosocial supports “cueing
action” during their transition out of foster care. Barriers to accessing mental health
services included difficulties obtaining health insurance, finding a mental health
provider, scheduling appointments, and transportation.
Conclusions
Youths' perceptions of their mental health needs, self-efficacy, psychosocial supports
during transition, and access barriers influence mental health service use after aging
out of foster care. Results suggest that strategies are needed to 1) help youth and
clinicians negotiate shared understanding of mental health treatment needs and options,
2) incorporate mental health into transition planning, and 3) address insurance and
other systemic barriers to accessing mental health services after aging out of foster
care.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
July 17,
2014
Received:
April 30,
2014
Footnotes
The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose.
Identification
Copyright
© 2014 Academic Pediatric Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
