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Perceived Stigma and Barriers to Mental Health Care Utilization Among OEF-OIF Veterans

Dr. Pietrzak and Dr. Southwick are affiliated with the National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, and the Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven (e-mail: robert.pietrzak{at}yale.edu). Dr. Johnson is with the Naval Center for Combat Operational Stress Control and Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego School of Medicine. Dr. Goldstein is with the Department of Psychology and Dr. Malley is with the Department of Counseling and Family Therapy, Central Connecticut State University, New Britain.

OBJECTIVE: This study examined whether social support and beliefs about mental health care are associated with stigma, barriers to care, and mental health care utilization in a sample of veterans of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OEF-OIF). METHODS: A sample of 272 predominantly reservist and National Guard OEF-OIF veterans in Connecticut completed a needs assessment survey. RESULTS: Negative beliefs about mental health care, particularly psychotherapy, and decreased perceived unit support predicted increased perceptions of stigma and barriers to care. Negative beliefs about mental health care were also associated with decreased likelihood of mental health counseling and medication visits in the past six months, even after adjustment for demographic characteristics, psychiatric disorders, and support variables. CONCLUSIONS: Educational interventions for modifying negative beliefs about mental health care and bolstering unit support may help decrease stigma and barriers to care and increase mental health treatment seeking among OEF-OIF veterans.

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