Journal article
Uses of Research Evidence by State Legislators Who Prioritize Behavioral Health Issues
Psychiatric services (Washington, D.C.), v 67(12), pp 1355-1361
01 Dec 2016
PMID: 27364817
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
Disseminating behavioral health (BH) research to elected policy makers is a priority, but little is known about how they use and seek research evidence. This exploratory study aimed to identify research dissemination preferences and research-seeking practices of legislators who prioritize BH issues and to describe the role of research in determining policy priorities. The study also assessed whether these legislators differ from those who do not prioritize BH issues.
A telephone-based survey was conducted with 862 state legislators (response rate, 46%). A validated survey instrument assessed priorities and the factors that determined them, research dissemination preferences, and research-seeking practices. Bivariate analyses were used to characterize and compare the two groups.
Legislators who prioritized BH issues (N=125) were significantly more likely than those who did not to identify research evidence as a factor that determined policy priorities (odds ratio=1.91, 95% confidence interval=1.25-2.90, p=.002). Those who prioritized BH issues also attributed more importance to ten of 12 features of research, and the difference was significant for four features (unbiased, p=.014; presented in a concise way, p=.044; delivered by someone known or respected, p=.033; and tells a story, p=.030). Those who prioritized BH issues also engaged more often in eight of 11 research-seeking and utilization practices, and a significance difference was found for one (attending research presentations, p=.012).
Legislators who prioritized BH issues actively sought, had distinct preferences for, and were particularly influenced by research evidence. Testing legislator-focused BH research dissemination strategies is an area for future research.
Metrics
Details
- Title
- Uses of Research Evidence by State Legislators Who Prioritize Behavioral Health Issues
- Creators
- Jonathan Purtle - Washington University in St. LouisElizabeth A Dodson - Washington University in St. LouisRoss C Brownson - Washington University in St. Louis
- Publication Details
- Psychiatric services (Washington, D.C.), v 67(12), pp 1355-1361
- Grant note
- KL2 TR000450 / NCATS NIH HHS P30 DK092950 / NIDDK NIH HHS UL1 TR000448 / NCATS NIH HHS R01 CA124404 / NCI NIH HHS
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Health Management and Policy
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:000390122900017
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-85000366268
- Other Identifier
- 991019168124904721
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
This publication has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:
InCites Highlights
Data related to this publication, from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool:
- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Health Policy & Services
- Psychiatry
- Public, Environmental & Occupational Health