The Influence of Race and Ethnicity in Psychiatric Emergency Services

The present study examined the distribution of psychiatric diagnoses across black, white, and Hispanic or Latino children and adolescents that presented for psychiatric emergency care at the Duke University Hospital Emergency Department. In concordance with existing literature, it was hypothesized that the distribution of diagnoses would differ significantly among Hispanic or Latino patients and their non-Hispanic or Latino counterparts. Emergency department records from 442 pediatric patients were analyzed. Two sample t-tests were completed to test for significant differences in the proportion of each sample diagnosed with a pre-defined category of mental or behavioral illness. Hispanic or Latino children and adolescents had significantly higher proportions or anxiety and substance use disorders than non-Hispanic or Latino black children and adolescents. Hispanic or Latino children and adolescents also had significantly lower proportions of behavioral and emotional disorders than non-Hispanic or Latino black children and adolescents. These findings may invite more directed research into ethnic differences in care seeking, care provision, and prevalence.