 |
|
|
|
Improving Access to Mental Health
Services for Older Hartford Residents
Research Method:
Basic Research
Principal Investigators:
Jean J. Schensul, Ph.D. (PI), Kim Radda, M.A., R.N. (Co-PI),
Julie Robison Ph.D., Braceland Center (Site PI), Carmen Reyes,
M.P.A.,
NCAAA (Site PI)
Grant:
Patrick and Catherine Weldon Donaghue Medical Research Foundation
01-201
Partners:
Braceland Center for Mental Health and Aging, North Central
Area Agency on Aging (NCAAA), Hartford Housing Authority,
Hartford Hospital
Dates of Study:
2001-2004
|
|
Abstract
This three-year study identifies the prevalence of depression
and anxiety in a residential community of older, primarily minority
adults, and determines the barriers and facilitators to clinical
care. Building upon information gathered in the "AIDS
Risk in Older Urban Adult Senior Housing Residents"
project, the study assesses the use of non-clinical community
resources and the significance of family and community support
systems in the treatment of mental health problems, and explores
how individual or personal understandings and definitions of
depression/anxiety impact the effectiveness of mental health
clinical care and treatment for this population. The project
seeks to formulate a "building-based" approach to
education, support, and referral for depression, anxiety, and
related mental health problems. An anticipated outcome of the
project is the development of an advocacy network (with national
collaboration) to improve funding for mental health service
delivery to older adults. |
|
Project
Goals and Objectives
|
|
 |
Determine the extent
to which adults aged 50 and older, residing in public
and private senior housing in Hartford, CT, are
experiencing depression, anxiety or other mental
health problems. |
|
Determine the factors
that assist or impede the ability of older adults
to access clinical mental health treatment. |
|
Determine the extent
to which older adults are utilizing non-clinical,
community helping resources or family and community
support systems to deal with depression or anxiety. |
|
Identify
what older, minority adults understand as definitions
of depression and anxiety, and compare these to
definitions used by medical practitioners. |
|
Develop a building-based
education, support and referral system for depression,
anxiety and other related mental health problems. |
|
Develop an advocacy network
focused on improving funding for mental health service
delivery to older adults. |
|
Project
Details
The project is focused on older
residents (age 50 or older) living in twelve buildings
(4 public, 8 private) in Hartford, CT. Participant
recruitment and data collection takes place on-site,
in senior housing facilities. The project includes
a survey interview and screening of all participants
(approximately 700) for depression and anxiety.
Those who screen positive are referred for further
evaluation to one of several local mental health
clinics, including a special program for older minority
adults at Hartford Hospital. These individuals will
participate in follow-up, in-depth interviews at
1-month and 3-4-month intervals that focus on barriers
or facilitators to accessing and using mental health
services, as well as any non-clinical resources
or coping strategies they may have used. Project
staff will also conduct an in-depth interview with
20% of all participants, aimed at gaining information
on definitions of depression, anxiety, and other
related mental health problems. |
|
|
Project Contact:
Jean
J. Schensul, Ph.D. (PI)
Executive Director
Kim
Radda, M.A., R.N.
(Co-PI)
Project Director
Project Staff:
ICR
Jean J. Schensul, Ph.D.,
Principal Investigator
Kim Radda, M.A., R.N.,
Co-Principal Investigator/
Project Director
William Disch, Ph.D.,
Senior Research Analyst
Michelle So, B.A.,
Data Manager
Evelyn Baez, B.A.,
Community Researcher
Ken Brockman, H.S.,
Community Researcher
Leslie Escobales, B.A.,
Research Assistant
Braceland Center
Julie Robison Ph.D.,
Site Principal Investigator
Sonia Gaztambide, M.P.H.,
Community Researcher
Stefanie Kniep
NCAAA
Carmen Reyes, M.P.A.,
Site Principal Investigator
Hartford Hopsital
Gretchen Dieffenbach, Ph.D
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Link
to Research Methods page
Link
to Basic Research Methods page
Links to other ICR projects:
AIDS Risk in
Older Urban Adult Senior Housing Residents
Clinical Advisory Committee
Members:
Charter Oak/Rice Heights Health Center
Hartford
Behavioral Health
Institute for the Hispanic Family
Institute
of Living/Hartford Hospital Mental Health Network, Geriatric
Programs & Emergency Services
St.
Francis Hospital Behavioral Health/PATH Outpatient Services
Capital Region Mental Health Center
National Advisory Committee
Peter Guarnaccia, Ph.D., Institute for Health, Health
Care Policy & Aging Research, Rutgers, The State University
of New Jersey
Cathy S. Berkman, Ph.D., MSW, Fordham University, Graduate
School of Social Service
Madeline Iris, Ph.D., Northwestern University, Buehler Center
on Aging
Zibin Guo, Ph.D., University of Tennessee - Chattanooga, Dept.
of Sociology/Anthropology/Geography
David Schonfeld, M.D., Yale University, Pediatrics and Child
Care Study Center
Links to other related sites (external
links)
North
Central Area Agency on Aging
Braceland
Center
Patrick and Catherine Weldon
Donaghue Medical Research Foundation
Gerontological Society of
America
Hartford Housing Authority
|
|
About
ICR | Programs/Topics | Research/Methods
| News/Events
Training/Resources |
Publications
| Contact | Home
|
|
