Service Utilization Among Relative Caregivers: An Examination of Ethnic Differences

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to describe differences between Native American, African American, and White caregivers raising relative children. Specifically, service utilization and well-being variables were examined through mean comparisons and multiple regression analyses. Participants included 274 Oklahomans who were primary caregivers to a relative child or had been within the past six months. Data were collected using surveys consisting of five original scales that assessed demographic, service utilization, barriers to service, needs assessment, and well-being variables. This study determined that ethnicity accounts for some differences found in service utilization patterns of relatives raising relative children. Specifically, African Americans were more likely to utilize formal services than Native Americans or Whites. Further, ethnicity predicted the formal service utilization for Native Americans but did not predict service utilization for African Americans or Whites. Finally, descriptive analyses revealed that the demographics of White and Native American participants were very similar.