Sociodemographic predictors of mental health service utilization among young adults with support in daily living in Sweden: a register-based study
Abstract Background An increasing number of young adults in Sweden are being granted support in daily living through social services. To enhance service planning and resource allocation for this growing group of young service users, we aimed to provide an overview of the social and health-related ci...
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2025-06-01
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| Series: | BMC Psychiatry |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-025-07046-1 |
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| author | Jenny Meyer Sergej Engström Maria Löthberg Steve Berggren Adriana Ramirez Sonya Girdler Tatja Hirvikoski Sven Bölte Ulf Jonsson |
| author_facet | Jenny Meyer Sergej Engström Maria Löthberg Steve Berggren Adriana Ramirez Sonya Girdler Tatja Hirvikoski Sven Bölte Ulf Jonsson |
| author_sort | Jenny Meyer |
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| description | Abstract Background An increasing number of young adults in Sweden are being granted support in daily living through social services. To enhance service planning and resource allocation for this growing group of young service users, we aimed to provide an overview of the social and health-related circumstances of young adults recently granted support in daily living. We had a particular focus on mental health service utilization and whether socio-demographic factors influence the use of care. Methods Swedish nationwide register data were used to describe the sociodemographic characteristics and utilization of mental health services, including outpatient and inpatient care, treatment for suicidal behavior and pharmacological treatment. Sociodemographic predictors (sex, age, country of birth, education, and parental education) of mental health service utilization were explored using binary logistic regression. Results All young adults (ages 18–29) granted support between 2017 and 2021 (N = 15,024; 49.2% female) were included. Unfavorable social circumstances were common, including truncated education, unemployment, and the need for financial assistance. Many had a history of psychiatric inpatient care (40.0%) and treatment for suicidal behavior (15.7%). The majority received psychiatric outpatient care (71.6%) and psychopharmacological treatment (73.9%) during their granting year. Common conditions for care included attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety and fear-related disorders, mood disorders, and autism spectrum disorder. Co-occurring conditions were prevalent. Utilization of mental health services was more common among females, particularly regarding treatment for suicidal behavior (adjusted OR 2.52; 95% CI 2.16–2.93). Higher educational level and being Swedish-born were associated with a greater likelihood of utilizing outpatient care and psychopharmacological treatment. In contrast, those born in Sweden were less likely than foreign-born to be admitted to inpatient care (adjusted OR 0.66; 95% CI 0.59–0.74). Conclusions While social services recognize the support needs of this group of young adults, our findings suggest that sociodemographic characteristics such as sex, education level, and country of birth may facilitate or obstruct their access to mental health services. It is essential to coordinate efforts so that young adults with support in daily living can seek and access the mental health services they need. Clinical trial number Not applicable. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-49628620b7c14fcc86cc5e6b29ee4310 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1471-244X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
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| series | BMC Psychiatry |
| spelling | doaj-art-49628620b7c14fcc86cc5e6b29ee43102025-08-20T02:30:43ZengBMCBMC Psychiatry1471-244X2025-06-0125111210.1186/s12888-025-07046-1Sociodemographic predictors of mental health service utilization among young adults with support in daily living in Sweden: a register-based studyJenny Meyer0Sergej Engström1Maria Löthberg2Steve Berggren3Adriana Ramirez4Sonya Girdler5Tatja Hirvikoski6Sven Bölte7Ulf Jonsson8Center of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (KIND), Centre for Psychiatry Research, Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Karolinska Institutet & Stockholm Health Care Services, Region StockholmCenter of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (KIND), Centre for Psychiatry Research, Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Karolinska Institutet & Stockholm Health Care Services, Region StockholmCenter of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (KIND), Centre for Psychiatry Research, Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Karolinska Institutet & Stockholm Health Care Services, Region StockholmCenter of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (KIND), Centre for Psychiatry Research, Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Karolinska Institutet & Stockholm Health Care Services, Region StockholmDepartment of Medical Sciences, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Uppsala UniversityCenter of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (KIND), Centre for Psychiatry Research, Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Karolinska Institutet & Stockholm Health Care Services, Region StockholmCenter of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (KIND), Centre for Psychiatry Research, Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Karolinska Institutet & Stockholm Health Care Services, Region StockholmCenter of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (KIND), Centre for Psychiatry Research, Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Karolinska Institutet & Stockholm Health Care Services, Region StockholmCenter of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (KIND), Centre for Psychiatry Research, Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Karolinska Institutet & Stockholm Health Care Services, Region StockholmAbstract Background An increasing number of young adults in Sweden are being granted support in daily living through social services. To enhance service planning and resource allocation for this growing group of young service users, we aimed to provide an overview of the social and health-related circumstances of young adults recently granted support in daily living. We had a particular focus on mental health service utilization and whether socio-demographic factors influence the use of care. Methods Swedish nationwide register data were used to describe the sociodemographic characteristics and utilization of mental health services, including outpatient and inpatient care, treatment for suicidal behavior and pharmacological treatment. Sociodemographic predictors (sex, age, country of birth, education, and parental education) of mental health service utilization were explored using binary logistic regression. Results All young adults (ages 18–29) granted support between 2017 and 2021 (N = 15,024; 49.2% female) were included. Unfavorable social circumstances were common, including truncated education, unemployment, and the need for financial assistance. Many had a history of psychiatric inpatient care (40.0%) and treatment for suicidal behavior (15.7%). The majority received psychiatric outpatient care (71.6%) and psychopharmacological treatment (73.9%) during their granting year. Common conditions for care included attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety and fear-related disorders, mood disorders, and autism spectrum disorder. Co-occurring conditions were prevalent. Utilization of mental health services was more common among females, particularly regarding treatment for suicidal behavior (adjusted OR 2.52; 95% CI 2.16–2.93). Higher educational level and being Swedish-born were associated with a greater likelihood of utilizing outpatient care and psychopharmacological treatment. In contrast, those born in Sweden were less likely than foreign-born to be admitted to inpatient care (adjusted OR 0.66; 95% CI 0.59–0.74). Conclusions While social services recognize the support needs of this group of young adults, our findings suggest that sociodemographic characteristics such as sex, education level, and country of birth may facilitate or obstruct their access to mental health services. It is essential to coordinate efforts so that young adults with support in daily living can seek and access the mental health services they need. Clinical trial number Not applicable.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-025-07046-1NeurodevelopmentalEmerging adulthoodSocial servicesDisabilitySocial determinants |
| spellingShingle | Jenny Meyer Sergej Engström Maria Löthberg Steve Berggren Adriana Ramirez Sonya Girdler Tatja Hirvikoski Sven Bölte Ulf Jonsson Sociodemographic predictors of mental health service utilization among young adults with support in daily living in Sweden: a register-based study BMC Psychiatry Neurodevelopmental Emerging adulthood Social services Disability Social determinants |
| title | Sociodemographic predictors of mental health service utilization among young adults with support in daily living in Sweden: a register-based study |
| title_full | Sociodemographic predictors of mental health service utilization among young adults with support in daily living in Sweden: a register-based study |
| title_fullStr | Sociodemographic predictors of mental health service utilization among young adults with support in daily living in Sweden: a register-based study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Sociodemographic predictors of mental health service utilization among young adults with support in daily living in Sweden: a register-based study |
| title_short | Sociodemographic predictors of mental health service utilization among young adults with support in daily living in Sweden: a register-based study |
| title_sort | sociodemographic predictors of mental health service utilization among young adults with support in daily living in sweden a register based study |
| topic | Neurodevelopmental Emerging adulthood Social services Disability Social determinants |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-025-07046-1 |
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