Description

For sample persons age 18 and older, and who reported to have experienced stress within the last year, EMOHELPOMH reports whether or not the person sought help from a health professional (therapist and/or counselor) other than medical doctor, psychologist, psychiatrist, and (psychiatric) social worker.

In 1985, for affirmative responses, the survey specifies the order in which the first four sources of help were mentioned. If the person mentioned more than four sources of help, responses beyond the first four sources of help mentioned are not ordered. Users interested in a "yes" response about the use of this source of help (regardless of the order in which it was mentioned), should combine all response categories that indicate an affirmative response.

For changes in the sample universe and response options, please refer to the Comparability tab.

EMOHELPOMH is part of a series of variables related to sources of help with adult personal or emotional problems. For related variables, please use the IPUMS NHIS search function and drop-down menus.

Comparability

Small changes in the universe occurred between 1985 and 1990. In 1990, this question was asked only of persons who knew what stress was. In 1985 this question was asked regardless of whether the person knew what stress was.

Several changes also occurred in the response categories. In 1985, the order with which the person named the sources of help was recorded, whereas in 1990 it was not. However, in 1990 the person was asked additional questions related to the extent to which each source of help was used (see for example, EMOAMTOMH). Finally note that this specific category changes slightly between the two years. In 1985, it was "Other mental health professional." In 1990, it expanded to "Other mental health professional/therapist/counselor."

Universe

Availability

• 1985, 1990

Weights

• 1985, 1990 : SAMPWEIGHT