Factors in use of mental health services for bullied children: An application of the behavioral model of health services utilization

This study examined the use of mental health services with child bullying victims in the United States and whether it related to perceived needs, sociodemographic characteristics, and family financial resources. A secondary data analysis, the study included data for 11,080 bullied children and their caregivers participating in the U.S.-based 2018 National Survey of Children's Health. The logistic regression results showed that likelihood of bullied children's receipt of services was associated positively with mental health problems (ADHD, depression, anxiety, behavior/conduct) and with professional support, relative caregiver, and caregiver education. Services utilization was negatively associated with girl, child aged 6-10, female caregiver, and married caregiver. Study implications include education for bullied children and their caregivers about bullying victimization and its associated mental health problems. In addition, establishment of caseworker-caregiver collaborative engagement would promote use of mental health services by bullied children in child welfare system. Anti-bullying polices in schools that promote reporting bullying victimization as well as assessment and referral to mental health services.