Adolescent Substance Abuse Articles
Minority adolescents may not receive depression treatment
By Staff Writer
Recent research shows that racial and ethnic minorities who suffer from depression may be less likely to receive the treatment than non-Hispanic Caucasians.
A recent mental health study conducted by researchers from Emory University has shed light on the disparities in treatment caused by one's race and ethnicity.
In the study, researchers analyzed five years worth of data on 7,704 adolescents who had been diagnosed with major depression. Researchers analyzed how different racial and ethnic groups received treatment for their mood disorder.
After adjusting for demographics and health status, the researchers found that 40 percent of non-Hispanic Caucasians received depression treatment. In contrast, 32 percent of African Americans, 31 percent of Hispanics and 19 percent of Asians received treatment.
Socioeconomic and health insurance status were said to account for only a small portion of the differences between ethnic groups, according to the researchers. Stigma and language barriers were also cited as possible reasons for the lower treatment rates for Hispanics and Asians.
Since depression has the potential to lead to substance abuse and suicide, the researchers feel that these findings are tragic. Individuals afflicted by this mood disorder may want to seek treatment from a mental health and drug rehab facility.
