Age-related concomitants of obtaining mental health care in adulthood.

OBJECTIVE To examine the associations between predisposing and need factors and receipt of mental health care and to examine age as a moderator of these associations. METHODS Participants (N=521) were surveyed as part of a larger study on health and adaptation. RESULTS Obtaining mental health care was predicted by more reliance on approach coping, and more depressive and medical symptoms. Interactions of age x depressive symptoms and age x gender revealed that middle-aged adults with more depressive symptoms and middle-aged men were less likely to obtain care. CONCLUSIONS Middle-aged men and middle-aged adults with depression may not be obtaining needed mental health care.