Psychological distress, structural barriers, and health services utilization among U.S. adults: National Health interview survey, 2011-2017

Undertreatment of mental illness is associated with greater acute care and costs and worse mental and physical outcomes. Structural barriers may contribute to worse care. National Health Interview Survey data for 2011-2017 were used to examine associations of psychological distress and nine structural barriers with four health services, guided by the Andersen Behavioral Model of Health Services Utilization. Per the Kessler-6 Scale, United States adults 18-64 years of age (sample size = 172,209, estimated annual population =189.4 million) were categorized as: no or low psychological distress (NLPD: 79.2%), moderate (MPD: 17.1%), and serious (SPD: 3.7%). Those with MPD and SPD had higher likelihoods of any mental health visit (Adjusted Odds Ratio: 3.53; 8.36, respectively), hospitalization (AOR: 1.16; 1.55), emergency room/department visit (AOR: 1.62; 2.23), and lower likelihood of office visits (AOR: 0.42; 0.64) in the past 12 months compared to NLPD (all p < 0.001). Psychological distress was the largest contributor of explained variation for mental health visits (67%), hospitalization (37%), and ER/ED usage (47%). Adults with SPD and MPD faced structural barriers at higher proportions. For example, reports of "had trouble finding general doctor were: NLPD (2.2%), MPD (6.0%), and SPD (11.8%). Eight structural barriers were positively associated with ER/ED use and five barriers negatively associated with office visits. Barriers significantly associated with all four outcomes were: "Told health care coverage not accepted" and "Delayed care, couldn't get appointment soon." Innovative policy solutions coupled with comparable innovations in care delivery for complex patient populations could ensure equitable access to health services for individuals with psychological distress.