Centre for Policy on Ageing



Attitudes towards mental health care in younger and older adults — similarities and differences
Author(s)	C Robb, W E Haley, M A Becker
Journal title	Aging & Mental Health, vol 7, no 2, March 2003
Pages	pp 142-152
Source	http://www.tandfonline.com
Keywords	Psychiatric treatment ; Attitude ; Attitudes to the old of general public ; United States of America.
Annotation	It is commonly assumed that older and younger people have very different attitudes about seeking mental health services, and that this is a major factor in reducing older people's use of mental health services. However, little evidence exists to illustrate how older people actually perceive mental health care. Responses from a survey of 474 older people aged 65+ in a Florida retirement community were compared with data from a national survey of 1001 Americans aged 21-65. Results indicate similarities in many attitudes, including likelihood of seeking treatment for severe mental disorders, importance of mental health care, and concerns about cost and coverage as barriers to care. Differences included use of services, perceptions about less severe disorders, referral sources, and preferred providers. Clinical, policy and public education implications are discussed. (RH).
Accession Number	CPA-030806207 A
Classmark	LP: DP: TOB: 7T
Data © Centre for Policy on Ageing

...from the Ageinfo database published by Centre for Policy on Ageing.