Racial and ethnic disparities in time to first antidepressant medication or psychotherapy

Psychiatry Res. 2023 Aug:326:115324. doi: 10.1016/j.psychres.2023.115324. Epub 2023 Jun 25.

Abstract

Time from first DSM4 major depressive episode (MDE) until treatment in the community was compared across racial/ethnic groups. This secondary analysis used structured baseline data from a depression research clinic (N = 260). Chi-square and survival analyses compared rates and delays to antidepressant medication and psychotherapy. Non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic (any race) participants had lower rates of both antidepressant medication and psychotherapy and longer delays to antidepressant medication compared with non-Hispanic White participants. The results underscore the need to reduce these disparities.

Keywords: Antidepressant; Depression; Racial disparity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Antidepressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Black or African American
  • Depressive Disorder, Major* / drug therapy
  • Healthcare Disparities*
  • Hispanic or Latino
  • Humans
  • Psychotherapy
  • Racial Groups
  • Time-to-Treatment*
  • United States

Substances

  • Antidepressive Agents