title: Stigma and demographic correlates of help-seeking intentions in returning service members.
abstract: Many U.S. Iraq/Afghanistan-era veterans return from deployment with posttraumatic stress (PTS) symptoms, but few veterans seek psychological help. Research on barriers to care is growing, but the link between stigma and help-seeking is understudied. The present study examined anticipated enacted stigma from military and nonmilitary sources, self-stigma, PTS, perceived likelihood of deploying again, marital status, and history of mental health care engagement as correlates of help-seeking intentions from a mental health professional or medical doctor/advance practice registered nurse (MD/APRN) in a sample of 165 combat veterans. Using structural equation modeling, results demonstrated that self-stigma was negatively associated with help-seeking intentions from a mental health professional and MD/APRN with small-to-medium effect sizes. Being married was positively associated with help-seeking intentions from a mental health professional and MD/APRN with small effect sizes. History of previous mental health care engagement was positively associated with help-seeking intentions from a mental health professional with a medium effect size, but unrelated to help-seeking intentions from a MD/APRN. Anticipated enacted stigma from any source, PTS, and greater perceived likelihood of deploying again were unrelated to help-seeking intentions from a mental health professional and MD/APRN. Implications for interventions aimed at decreasing self-stigma and increasing intention to seek help are discussed.
authors: Department of Psychology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA. rebecca.blais@va.gov
authors: Rebecca K
authors: RK
authors: Blais
authors: Keith D
authors: KD
authors: Renshaw
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D057179:Advanced Practice Nursing; D055826:Afghan Campaign 2001-; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D033182:Intention; D054542:Iraq War, 2003-2011; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D008605:Mental Health Services; D008960:Models, Psychological; D009042:Motivation; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011320:Primary Health Care; D012649:Self Concept; D057545:Social Stigma; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult