University of New Hampshire
McNair Scholar, 2023
Major: Health Sciences
Mentor: Dr. Joan Beasley
Research Title: Predictors of Mental Health Crisis Service Use Among Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Mental Health Needs
Abstract:
Background: Among those with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are particularly vulnerable to mental health challenges, and frequently experience mental health crises. Youth with ASD frequently utilize mental health crisis services, such as the emergency department or psychiatric hospital.
Methods: Data from 1,157 youth with ASD aged 6 through 18 years old enrolled in START (Systemic, Therapeutic, Assessment, Resources, and Treatment) programs, community-based mental health programs providing crisis prevention and intervention services to those with IDD, were analyzed in this study. Demographic (age, gender, region, race, and ethnicity) and clinical (level of IDD; mental health and medical diagnoses; prescribed mental health medications; mental health crisis service use) characteristics of the sample were analyzed descriptively, and a binary logistic regression analysis was performed to investigate predictors of mental health crisis service use (emergency department visit or psychiatric hospitalization) in the year prior to START program enrollment.
Results: In the year prior to START program enrollment, 52% of the sample of youth with ASD reported at least one use of mental health crisis services. Predictors of mental health crisis service use included race (Black or African American), older age (15 through 18 years old), and number of prescribed mental health medications (2 or more). Youth with ASD and a moderate level of IDD were significantly less likely to have utilized mental health crisis services in the year prior to START program enrollment than youth with ASD and no IDD. Almost 9 in 10 youth with ASD in the sample were prescribed two or more mental health medications, with 55.1% reporting three or more prescribed mental health medications. While not found to be a significant predictor in the model, it is important to note that 28.2% of the sample reported having two or more chronic health conditions.
Conclusions: The results of this study indicate that some youth with ASD are more likely to utilize mental health crisis services than others. Mental health service providers should be prepared to address the needs of those with ASD, with a focus on crisis prevention.
