Racial differences in psychiatric symptom patterns and service use in VA primary care clinics.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to assess racial differences in psychopathology and service use in a sample of African-American and Caucasian veterans.


METHODS
African-American (N=253) and Caucasian (N=460) veterans from primary care clinics at four Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers were compared on rates of trauma, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), other psychiatric diagnoses, functional status, and use of VA services and benefits. A cross-sectional, epidemiologic design incorporating self-report measures, structured interviews, and chart reviews was used.


RESULTS
With the exception of substance abuse or dependence diagnoses and use of substance abuse treatment and urgent care services, few racial differences emerged.


CONCLUSIONS
Overall, the findings suggest that African-American and Caucasian veterans, including those with PTSD, do not differ significantly in psychopathology or in their use of VA benefits and services.
Grubaugh
Anouk L
AL
Ralph H. Johnson Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston 29425, USA. grubaugh@musc.edu
Frueh
B Christopher
BC
Elhai
Jon D
JD
Monnier
Jeannine
J
Knapp
Rebecca G
RG
Magruder
Kathryn M
KM
D001741:Black or African American; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008875:Middle Aged; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011599:Psychopathology; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D014481:United States; D014493:United States Department of Veterans Affairs; D014728:Veterans; D044465:White People