Race Differences in Psychopathology and Disparities in Treatment Seeking: Community and Jail-Based Treatment-Seeking Patterns

Whites in community samples use mental health services at a much higher rate than African Americans (Kessler et al., 2005). Is this also the case among those in jails? In this study of jail inmates (229 African American, 185 White), there were no race differences in the overall need for mental health treatment (63% of participants had significant symptoms on the Personality Assessment Inventory), but race differences in the level and types of symptoms were evident. In addition, although Whites were more likely to report preincarceration treatment, there were no differences in treatment seeking or access to mental health programs while in jail, implying that if barriers to treatment in the community were removed (cost/insurance, location/transportation, time), racial disparities in treatment utilization may be reduced.