https://aub.ie/MilitaryREACH-Schvey2021

Schvey, N. A., Burke, D., Pearlman, A. T., Britt, T. W., Riggs, D. S., Carballo, C., & Stander, V. (2022). Perceived barriers to mental healthcare among spouses of military service members. Psychological Services, 19(2), 396–405. https://doi.org/10.1037/ser0000523

Using a sample of 9,666 partners of Service members, this study examined associations between four mental healthcare barriers (i.e., negative beliefs, logistical barriers, fear of negative consequences, internalized stigma) and mental health disorder symptoms (i.e., depression, anxiety, panic disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder [PTSD]), while also considering relevant demographics (i.e., gender, race, prior military service). Negative beliefs include worrying that treatment would not be helpful or being unable to trust a provider. Logistical barriers include the financial cost of services and the duration of treatment. Fears of negative consequences include concerns about being treated differently, along with limited career opportunities. Internalized mental health stigma includes embarrassment or worry over seeming weak for seeking treatment. Differences in the likelihood of reporting these barriers emerged between several demographics.

https://doi.org/10.1037/ser0000523

Couples
Mental health
Programming

Multiple branches

Active Duty

Active duty service member
Military families
Spouse of service member or veteran

Young adulthood (18 - 29 yrs)
Thirties (30 - 39 yrs)
Middle age (40 - 64 yrs)

Cross-Sectional Study
Quantitative Study

Schvey, Natasha A., Burke, Daniel, Pearlman, Arielle T., Britt, Thomas W., Riggs, David S., Carballo, Carlos, Stander, Valerie

Barriers to mental healthcare services are reported among military service members. However, little is known about these barriers among the spouses of military personnel, who face unique stressors and may subsequently be at high-need for mental health services. Understanding barriers to care among this vulnerable population may help improve access to psychological services. The current study utilized data from the Millennium Cohort Family Study. Participants were referred by their military spouses or through targeted mailers. Participants completed self-report measures of mood, psychosocial functioning, and perceived barriers to mental healthcare via web- or paper-based surveys. A factor analysis was conducted to identify subscales of the barriers to mental healthcare measure, and logistic regressions were conducted adjusting for relevant sociodemographic variables, to determine psychosocial factors associated with likelihood of reporting barriers to mental healthcare. The sample comprised 9,666 military spouses (86% female; Mage: 27.73 ± 5.09; 29.2% racial/ethnic minority; 19.5% with prior/current military service). Logistic factors were the most frequently reported barrier to care (63%), followed by negative beliefs about mental healthcare (52%), fear of social/occupational consequences (35%), and internalized stigma (32%). Spouses with prior or current military service themselves and individuals with a psychiatric condition were most likely to report barriers to mental healthcare. A preponderance of military spouses reported barriers to mental healthcare services. Prospective data are needed to elucidate the associations between barriers to care and mental healthcare utilization. Efforts may be warranted to improve access to mental healthcare among the spouses of military personnel. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved)

American Psychological Association

Article
REACH Publication

Affective Disorders, Mental Health Services, Military Personnel, Minority Groups, Psychosocial Factors, Spouses, Stigma, Treatment Barriers

https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2021-36704-001

Research Summary

  September 2021