Abstract:
Recent research suggests that increased governmental social sector spending, those monies allocated for such diverse things as transportation infrastructure, parks, police and fire protection, education, and income support, is positively related to improved health. This study, expanding upon the work of Elizabeth Bradley and Lauren Taylor, was intended to determine if there is a similar relationship between components of social sector spending and mental health indicators. The study uses mental health indicator data that are drawn from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (SAMHSA) and spending data that are drawn from the US Census Bureau and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid. My regression analyses suggest that, for two of the three identified mental health indicators, there is a relationship between social sector spending and mental health indicators. These findings of the descriptive study are considered in the context of Gelberg’s Behavioral Model for Vulnerable Populations. Although the data for the dependent variables (mental health indicators) are longitudinal for a 12-year period, they were reported in 2-year panels, thus limiting the study to six observations over 12 years. This has negative implications for the power of the study. Additionally, the data for the independent variable captured spending at the state level, with no analysis of particular programs or activities.
