Shepherd-Banigan, M., Shapiro, A., Stechuchak, K. M., Sheahan, K. L., Ackland, P. E., Smith, V. A., …Van Houtven, C. H. (2023). Exploring the importance of predisposing, enabling, and need factors for promoting veteran engagement in mental health therapy for post-traumatic stress: A multiple methods study. BMC Psychiatry, 23, Article 372. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-023-04840-7

This mixed-methods study sought to identify the salient factors that contribute to Veterans’ engagement in therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), using the Andersen behavioral model of health service utilization as a guiding framework. 1,237 Veterans’ predisposing characteristics (e.g., gender, race), enabling resources (e.g., financial resources, marital status), and need factors (e.g., comorbid diagnoses) were examined in relation to the Veterans’ engagement with PTSD treatment. Data from Veterans Affairs (VA) health records, as well as surveys completed by a support partner of the Veteran (i.e., family member or friend) were used. A separate sample of Veterans (n = 18) and their support partners (n = 13) were interviewed for additional insights. Overall, Veterans’ need for services, attitudes toward treatment, and social support drove their engagement in therapy.

Exploring the importance of predisposing, enabling, and need factors for promoting Veteran engagement in mental health therapy for post-traumatic stress: A multiple methods study

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