https://aub.ie/MilitaryREACH-Aronson2020

Aronson, K. R., Perkins, D. F., Morgan, N. R., Bleser, J. A., Vogt, D., Copeland, L. A., Finley, E. P., & Gilman, C. L. (2020). Use of health services among post-9/11 veterans with mental health conditions within 90 days of separation from the military. Psychiatric Services, 71(7), 670-677. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ps.201900326

Veterans may experience barriers to utilizing mental health treatment due to a stigma around help-seeking or a lack of knowledge about available resources and eligibility. Identifying how health services are used by Veterans is important because waiting to receive treatment can exacerbate symptoms and lead to worse outcomes. This study examined post-9/11 Veterans who screened positive for mental health problems (i.e., anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder [PTSD], alcohol misuse, and/or depression) within 90 days of separation (N = 3,295). Differences in the utilization of varying health services (i.e., Veterans Affairs [VA] hospitals or clinics, non-VA hospitals or clinics, counseling, alternative medicines, access-to-care programs, programs for PTSD or brain injury, and physical activity or weight loss programs) were examined in relation to individual characteristics (i.e., gender, race, rank, military occupation, combat exposure, medical discharge history, and ongoing physical and mental health conditions) to identify who used health services and which services they used. The results suggest that the utilization of different types of health services vary by individual characteristics (e.g., military rank), providing insight into groups that may need more support during the transition to civilian life.

https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ps.201900326

Mental health
Programming
Veterans

Air Force
Army
Marine Corps
Navy
Multiple branches

Guard
Reserve
Veteran

Guard/Reserve member
Veteran

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

Cross-Sectional Study
Quantitative Study

Aronson, Keith R., Perkins, Daniel F., Morgan, Nicole R., Bleser, Julia A., Vogt, Dawne, Copeland, Laurel A., Finley, Erin P., Gilman, Cynthia L.

Objective: The Veterans Metrics Initiative is a longitudinal survey study examining the military-to-civilian transition of a cohort of new post-9/11 veterans. This study identified the programs and services used by new post-9/11 veterans who screened positive for mental health problems (N=3,295) and factors that predicted use.Methods:The population of veterans who separated from active duty service in the 90 days prior to August–November 2016 (N=48,965) was identified and invited to participate in the study. This study reports results from the first wave of data collected.Results:Complete data were provided by 9,566 veterans. Of these, 34% (N=3,295) screened positive for one or more probable mental health problems. A substantial majority of these veterans also reported having a general medical problem. Results revealed that veterans from junior enlisted ranks were significantly less likely than those from higher ranks to use programs and services. Use of programs and services by male and female veterans was similar. Several racial-ethnic differences also emerged. There was some evidence that veterans may underrecognize their own mental health problems. Veterans who were exposed to combat, had a medical discharge, or reported an ongoing general medical condition were all significantly more likely to report using U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care services.Conclusions:These findings suggest that veterans, particularly those from the junior enlisted ranks—who are most at risk for poor transitions—should be encouraged to use programs and services provided by both the VA and non-VA health care alternatives.

American Psychiatric Association Publishing

Article
REACH Publication

veteran, military-to-civilian transition, post-9/11 veterans, program

https://ps.psychiatryonline.org/doi/abs/10.1176/appi.ps.201900326

Research Summary

  February 2021