Insurance, System Structure and the Use of Mental Health Services by Children and Adolescents

This paper reviews data on the roles of various types of mental health providers in supplying service to children and adolescents. Data on institutional and community-based providers are analyzed in detail. In addition, the changing ownership structure of mental health providers is studied. Hypotheses regarding a number of explanations for observed patterns of service use are considered. Directions for future research are offered based on the existing knowledge base. (1992)