Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Comparison of mental health services in rural and urban Washington

  • Articles
  • Published:
Community Mental Health Journal Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Rural mental health has been an area of increased study in recent years because of unique problems in service of rural areas and underrepresentation of professionals in rural areas. This study collected information from mental health centers in the state of Washington via the state management information system. Rural/urban differences were examined. Results showed that (1) rural therapist were more likely to be generalists than urban therapists, (2) psychologists performed more of the direct service work in rural centers than they did in urban centers, (3) rural centers spent less time in direct activities, and more time in support activities, but did not differ from urban centers in indirect activities, and (4) rural and urban centers did not spend different percentages of time in specific direct, indirect, and support activities with the exception of day treatment where urban centers put more of their time than rural centers.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Carlson, J.E., Lassey, M.L. & Lassey, W.R.,Rural society and environment in America. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1981).

    Google Scholar 

  • Dengerink, H. A., Marks, D.A., Hammarlund, M.R., & Hammond, B.E.M. The decision of psychologists to practice in urban or rural areas.Journal of Rural Community Psychology, 1981,2(2), 1–11.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dunbar, E., McKelvy, J., & Armstrong, L. Characteristics of work place and workers in rural mental settings: A report of an exploratory survey of mental health professionals in rural centers of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Alaska. Report submitted to Region X Human Resource Development Task Force, January, 1980.

  • Eisdorfer, C., Altrocchi, J. & Young, R. F. Principles of community mental health in rural settings: The Halifax County Program.Community Mental Health Journal, 19684 (3), 211–220.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eisenhart, M., & Ruff, T. Doing mental health work in rural versus urban places: Differences in the organization and meaning of work. Presented at the Fifth National Institute on Social Work in Rural Areas, Adelphi, Vermont/Burlington Vermont, 1980.

  • Flax, J. W., Wagenfeld, M. O., Ivens, P. E., & Weiss, R. J.:Mental health and rural America: An overview and annotated bibliography. Rockville, Maryland: National Institute of Mental Health, 1979.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gertz, B., Meider, J. & Pluckham, M. L.: A survey of rural community mental health needs and resources.Hospital and community Psychiatry, 1975,26(12), 816–819.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hollingsworth, R., & Hendrix, E. M. Community mental health in rural settings.Professional Psychology.1977, 232–238.

  • Jones, J. D., Robin, S. S., & Wagenfeld, M. O. Rural mental health centers—are they different?International Journal of Mental Health, 1974,3(2–3), 77–92.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jones, J. D., Wagenfeld, M. O. & Robin, S. S. A profile of the rural community mental health center.Community Mental Health Journal, 1976,12(2) 176–181.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Keller, P. A., Zimbelman, K. K., Murray, J. D., & Feil, R. N. Geographic distribution of psychologists in the northeastern United States.Journal of Rural Community Psychology, 1980,1(1) 18–24.

    Google Scholar 

  • Levenson, A. I., & Reff, S. R. Community mental health staffing patterns.Community Mental Health Journal, 1970,6(2), 118–125.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Looff, D. H.Appalachia's children: The challenge of mental health. Lexington, Kentucky: University of Kentucky Press, 1971.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mazer, M. The therapist in the community. In: H. Grunebaum (Ed.),The practice of community mental health. Boston: Little, Brown, and Co., 1970.

    Google Scholar 

  • Perlmutter, F.D. Consultation and education in rural community mental health centers.Community Mental Health Journal, 1979,15(1), 58–68.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Richards, J. M., & Gottfredson, G. D.. Geographic distribution of U.S. psychologists: A human ecological analysis.American Psychologist, 1978,33, 1–9.

    Google Scholar 

  • Riggs, R. T., & Kugel, L. F. Transition from urban to rural mental health practice.Social Casework, 1976.57(9), 562–567.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tranel, N. Rural program development. In: H. Grunebaum (Ed.),The practice of community mental health. Boston: Little, Brown, & Co., 1970.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Authors
  1. J. Pulakos M.S.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. H. A. Dengerink Ph.D.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Pulakos, J., Dengerink, H.A. Comparison of mental health services in rural and urban Washington. Community Ment Health J 19, 164–172 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00877608

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00877608

Keywords

Search

Navigation