title: Readiness for change predicts VA Mental Healthcare utilization among Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans.
abstract: Many veterans present to Veteran Affairs (VA) care intending to seek mental health treatment for symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and/or alcohol misuse, yet most subsequently underutilize mental health care. This study examined the association of readiness for change with outpatient VA mental health care utilization in 104 treatment-seeking Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans who screened positive for PTSD, depression, and/or alcohol misuse at intake. Multivariate analyses demonstrated that readiness for change assessed at intake was positively associated (Incident Rate Ratio [IRR] = 1.22) with prospective outpatient mental health care utilization with demographic factors, military characteristics, and mental health burden in the model. Results suggest that interventions that target readiness to change, such as motivational interviewing, may improve treatment utilization in veterans presenting for mental health care.
authors: VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle Division, Seattle, WA 98108, USA. matthew.jakupcak@va.gov
authors: Matthew
authors: M
authors: Jakupcak
authors: Katherine D
authors: KD
authors: Hoerster
authors: Rebecca K
authors: RK
authors: Blais
authors: Carol A
authors: CA
authors: Malte
authors: Stephen
authors: S
authors: Hunt
authors: Karen
authors: K
authors: Seal
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D055826:Afghan Campaign 2001-; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D003130:Combat Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005260:Female; D006787:Hospitals, Veterans / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D054542:Iraq War, 2003-2011; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009042:Motivation; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010352:Patient Dropouts / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States; D014600:Utilization Review / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data