Exploring the Characteristics of Men Aged 55+ Who Use Mental Health Community Care and Support Services: A Secondary Analysis of the Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Study in England

Objectives: The aim of this study is to understand the demographic and situational characteristics of men over 55 who have used a community support service.

Method: Hierarchical multivariable logistic regression was conducted using anonymised data from the Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Study 2014.

Results: Need factors such as having a common mental disorder (CMD), poor general health and having counselling/therapy were the most relevant to use of a community support service. It was more common for older men (85+), single men, and those who reported experiencing several traumatic life events to have used a community support service.

Discussion: The results are critically discussed by considering the roles of gender, ageing, and social support, which might influence the use of community support services. There is a need for more awareness of categories such as age and previous service use, and how they might influence community support help seeking.