# Understanding Multilevel Factors that Contribute to Utilization of Mental Health Services in Children

> **NIH NIH F31** · DREXEL UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $39,120

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
 The proportion of children with mental health conditions who get mental health care (e.g., psychotherapy,
medication) has varied significantly between states for over a decade. Accordingly, the Health Resources and
Services Administration (HRSA) recognized the utilization of children’s mental health services as a national
concern by making it one of the National Outcome Measures for Maternal and Child Health. Unfortunately, it is
unlikely this issue will improve without understanding how state-level factors that support utilization of mental
health services by children. One potential factor may be state policy. Prior research has focused on how
sociodemographic characteristics influence the geographic variation in the utilization of children’s mental health
services, not the influence of state policies. The proposed mixed methods study will begin to address this
knowledge gap by using tools from the field of implementation science and health services research. The study
will use a modified framework based on Raghavan et al.’s Policy Ecology of Implementation Framework and
Andersen’s Behavioral Model of Health Services Use to identify state policies that are perceived by policymakers
as impacting the utilization of children’s mental health services. This study will determine policymakers’
perceptions of policies that influence utilization of children’s mental health services using a modified Delphi
method (Aim 1) and investigate the association between state policies and state-level utilization of child mental
health services (Aim 2). We will build upon a NIMH-funded center focused on strategies for states to improve
systems affecting children (P50 MH113662-A1 PIs- Hoagwood, McKay) by leveraging mentorship from the team
and findings from stakeholder surveys and interviews conducted as part of the center. The proposed research
and training plan will allow the fellowship applicant to receive training in: 1) mental health services research and
implementation science, 2) policies that influence the children’s mental health services system, 3) mixed
methods research, and 4) scholarly writing and research dissemination. This training plan will support successful
completion of the project and prepare the application for a career as an independently funded mental health
services researcher dedicated to improving access and utilization to mental health care for children and families
through local, state, and federal policy. The proposed project is consistent with the priorities set forth by the
NIMH Strategic Objectives (4.2) and use tools from implementation research to broaden the public health impact
of research and inform the development of state policy environments that support the uptake of evidence-based
mental health treatments for children and families.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10066571
- **Project number:** 1F31MH122155-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** DREXEL UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Katherine Lynn Nelson
- **Activity code:** F31 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $39,120
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-08-03 → 2021-08-02

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10066571

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10066571, Understanding Multilevel Factors that Contribute to Utilization of Mental Health Services in Children (1F31MH122155-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10066571. Licensed CC0.

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