Evaluating a community-based participatory research project for elderly mental healthcare in rural America.

The purpose of this evaluation was to explore the collaborative nature of partners in a rural mental health program for the elderly, and to test an adapted method of assessing the collaborative process. Sixteen collaborative partners were interviewed to explore ratings of collaboration across 6 domains identified as critical to participatory research. Results indicate that the context of rural Missouri and uniqueness of the program necessitated an approach to collaboration that began with a top-down approach, but greater community responsibility developed over time. Partners recognized the efforts of the program's directors to seek input. Most were satisfied with their roles and the degree of success achieved by the program, although several wanted to have more input in the future in some domains, but not in others. Interviews revealed numerous barriers to achieving sustainability. Methods to improve the assessment of collaboration are discussed and areas for improvement are offered.

Research Evaluating Brief Behavioral Sleep Treatments for Rural Elderly (RESTORE): a preliminary examination of effectiveness.

OBJECTIVE: To test the effectiveness of brief behavioral intervention for insomnia in rural elderly. METHODS: Twenty older insomniacs (> or =65 years of age) were randomly assigned to sleep hygiene education (SHE; N = 9) or multicomponent behavioral treatment (MBT; N = 11). Rural care providers individually administered treatment (two in-person sessions/two telephone follow-ups). Training involved a two-day workshop. RESULTS: At posttreatment, 10 MBT participants no longer met criteria for insomnia compared to 3 SHE participants. CONCLUSION: Brief behavioral intervention for late-life insomnia can be quickly taught and effectively delivered by "real-world" care providers in rural primary care settings.

Factors contributing to the utilization of mental health services in a rural setting.

The purpose of this study was to examine if age, attitudes toward help-seeking, education, and sex were related to previous or intended future mental health utilization in a rural population. Data were collected via a mail survey from 438 adults. Regression analyses suggested that positive attitudes toward help-seeking, being female, and being younger were significantly related to both previous and intended future mental health service utilization. In addition, prior mental health use was significantly related to whether one would seek out mental health services in the future, Implications for mental health practitioners in rural settings are addressed, and limitations of the study discussed.

Comparison of medical students, medical school faculty, primary care physicians, and the general population on attitudes toward psychological help-seeking.

This study is a preliminary comparison of the attitudes of osteopathic medical students, medical school faculty, primary care providers, and the general population toward seeking professional psychological help. Attitudes were also studied in the former three groups for those who had and had not previously received mental health services. 103 medical students, 22 faculty, 31 primary care providers, and 395 people from the general population responded to the mail-out survey. Attitudes toward help-seeking were more negative among the general population group than among students and providers. For these students, faculty, and providers, attitudes toward seeking help were more positive if they reported having received mental health services in the past.