Social Determinants of Health among Youth Seeking Substance Use and Mental Health Treatment

Objective: The extent to which social determinants of health problems occur among youth with mental health and addiction concerns and the impact of social determinants on their treatment is unknown. This study examined the prevalence of social determinants of health problems among treatment-seeking youth, their perceptions of interference with treatment, and the association between social determinants of health and mental health/addiction difficulties. Method: Youth ages 15-24 seeking out-patient treatment for substance use concerns, with or without concurrent mental health concerns, reported on substance use, mental health and social determinants of health. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analyses were used to determine the extent of social determinant of health problems and their relationship with mental health, substance use, and crime or violence problems. Results: In all, 80% of youth endorsed social determinants of health concerns in at least one domain; nearly 70% identified financial concerns, and many identified substantial problems in each domain and anticipated treatment impacts. Youth most frequently identified financial problems as likely to impact treatment. Cumulative number of social determinants of health problems and individual domains of social determinants of health problems were related to overall mental health and addiction concerns. Conclusions: Given their prevalence and association with mental health and addiction concerns, social determinants of health problems should be routinely assessed among treatment-seeking youth and integrative services that address these concerns in addition to symptomatology should be considered.