| Title | Perceptions of Overall Mental Health and Barriers to Mental Health Treatment Among US Older Adults. |
| Publication Type | Journal Article |
| Year of Publication | 2022 |
| Authors | Gerlach, LB, Maust, DT, Solway, E, Kirch, M, Kullgren, JT, Singer, DC, Malani, PN |
| Journal | Am J Geriatr Psychiatry |
| Volume | 30 |
| Issue | 4 |
| Pagination | 521-526 |
| Date Published | 2022 Apr |
| ISSN | 1545-7214 |
| Keywords | Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Humans, Independent Living, Mental Health, Mental Health Services, Psychotherapy, Surveys and Questionnaires |
| Abstract | OBJECTIVES: We surveyed older adults about their perceived mental health and their comfort discussing and engaging in mental health treatment. METHODS: A nationally representative survey of community-dwelling older adults aged 50-80 (N = 2,021), with respondents asked to rate their current mental health as compared to 20 years ago, comfort discussing their mental health, and potential hesitations to seeking treatment in the future. RESULTS: About 79.6% reported their mental health as the same or better than 20 years ago; 18.6% reported their mental health to be worse. Most respondents reported that they were comfortable (87.3%) discussing their mental health, preferring to discuss such concerns with their primary care provider (30.6%). About 28.5% of respondents did endorse some hesitation seeking mental health care in the future. CONCLUSIONS: Most older adults reported that their mental health was as good if not better than it was 20 years ago and felt comfortable discussing mental health concerns. |
| DOI | 10.1016/j.jagp.2021.09.006 |
| Alternate Journal | Am J Geriatr Psychiatry |
| PubMed ID | 34649786 |
| PubMed Central ID | PMC8938292 |
| Grant List | K23 AG066864 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States |
