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Rural Psychology pp 217–231Cite as

Needs Assessments in Rural Areas Issues and Problems

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Abstract

Rural areas are popularly characterized as quiet and tranquil places where individuals can void the psychonoxious aspects of modern living. However, epidemiological studies have demonstrated that significant mental health problems exist in rural communities (Bentz, Hollister, & Edgerton, 1971; Leighton, Leighton, & Armstrong, 1964; Llewellyn- Thomas, 1960). In fact, Husaini, Neff, and Stone (1979) have suggested that a variety of physical and interpersonal problems have higher incidence rates in rural than in urban areas. Despite the apparent need for mental health services, rural communities do not have many of the services that are readily available to urban dwellers (Willie, 1972). This relative absence of mental health services is not a simple reflection of the increased poverty in rural areas. Hoagland (1978) observed that 49% of urban poverty areas had adequate mental health services, yet, only 17.5% of rural poverty areas had such services. Hence, it seems that rural residents present significant mental health needs but receive fewer services (Falcone, 1979).

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Memphis State University, Memphis, Tennessee, 38152, USA

    Scott W. Henggeler

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  1. Scott W. Henggeler
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Lafayette College, Pennsylvania, USA

    Alan W. Childs

  2. Department of Psychology, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska, USA

    Gary B. Melton

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© 1983 Plenum Press, New York

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Henggeler, S.W. (1983). Needs Assessments in Rural Areas Issues and Problems. In: Childs, A.W., Melton, G.B. (eds) Rural Psychology. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-3512-2_11

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-3512-2_11

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4613-3514-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4613-3512-2

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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