Health Status and the Use of Outpatient Mental Health Services

Investigated the effects of mental health status—self-reported psychological distress and psychological well-being—on the use of outpatient mental health services, based on mental health data from the Rand Corporation's Health Insurance Survey. Results reveal that probability of mental health care and intensity of treatment provided by mental health specialists increase significantly with increases in psychological distress, independent of insurance plan, physical health, and sociodemographic variables. Results support the validity of self-report mental health surveys. (October 1984)