Characteristics associated with the use of specialized mental healthcare by Norwegian adults with intellectual disability: a cross-sectional study

Background Studies have reported unmet healthcare needs among people with intellectual disability. However, there appears to be a lack of research examining the use of mental health services. The purpose of the present study was to address this knowledge gap and examine characteristics associated with use of the services in Norway. Method A cross-sectional community-based survey including 199 adult participants (55% men) with intellectual disabilities. Assessment comprised the POMONA-15 health indicators and instruments designed to assess aberrant behavior (The Aberrant Behavior Checklist-Community, ABC-C) and screen for possible mental health problems (Moss Psychiatric Assessment Schedules-Check, MPAS-Check). Results During the last year, 49% of the participants had received specialist mental healthcare and/or specialized habilitation services. Further, 18% scored above threshold on the MPAS-Check, and the prevalence of challenging behavior in our sample was estimated to be 16% using the ABC-C. The presence of challenging behavior, indicated by the ABC-C, was found to significantly increase the odds of using specialist mental healthcare and/or specialized habilitation services. Conclusion When developing policies and measures to improve access to mental health care services, it is important to consider factors that serve as barriers and facilitators to access. Our findings indicate that psychotropic medication is primarily managed by general practitioners and suggest a potential gap in follow-up of these medications by specialist mental health and specialized habilitation services.