A Survey of Perceived Barriers and Attitudes Toward Mental Health Care Among OEF/OIF Veterans at VA Outpatient Mental Health Clinics

Abstract

These findings suggest an important role for outreach and engagement strategies that address attitudinal barriers to treatment utilization among veteran populations.

A Systematic Review of Dropout From Psychotherapy for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Among Iraq and Afghanistan Combat Veterans

“…In a review of treatment outcome studies of veterans with militaryrelated PTSD (spanning multiple combat periods) the average dropout rate was 23% (Steenkamp & Litz, 2013). Compared to combat veterans of other eras, recently returning veterans may hold more negative attitudes about treatment (Garcia et al, 2014) and dropout at a higher rate (Chard, Schumm, Owens, & Cottingham, 2010).…”

A randomized controlled trial of a web-based, personalized normative feedback alcohol intervention for young-adult veterans.

“…Yet, rates of substance use treatment seeking among heavy drinking OEF/OIF veterans are low (Burnett-Zeigler et al, 2011; Erbes et al, 2007; Golub, Vazan, Bennett, & Liberty, 2013). Commonly cited reasons for not seeking care include inconvenience of appointments, concerns about high costs, perceived stigma from peers, and the belief in one’s own ability to handle symptoms (DeViva et al, 2015; Fox, Meyer, & Vogt, 2015; Garcia et al, 2014; Hoge et al, 2004; Pietrzak, Johnson, Goldstein, Malley, & Southwick, 2009; Schell & Marshall, 2008; Vogt, 2011). Morever, approximately one-third of returning OEF/OIF veterans live in rural areas that may limit accessibility to hospitals and clinics within the VHA or other substance use treatment centers (Department of Veterans Affairs, 2012).…”

Psychotherapy Utilization and Retention in a National Sample of Veterans With PTSD

“…When left untreated, PTSD can become a chronic and debilitating condition, with significant costs to individuals, their families, and society (McCrone, Knapp, & Cawkill, ; National Institute for Clinical Excellence, ). Despite ongoing efforts to engage Veterans in mental health treatment, service utilization rates remain remarkably low, particularly among Veterans from recent conflicts such as Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), and Operation New Dawn (OND; Garcia et al., ; Hoerster et al., ; Rozanova et al., ).…”