title: A survey of perceived barriers and attitudes toward mental health care among OEF/OIF veterans at VA outpatient mental health clinics.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In an effort to improve our understanding of perceived treatment barriers among veterans of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF) relative to other era veterans, the current study examined veteran attitudes and beliefs about mental health treatment and treatment-seeking, and perceived patient and institution-level logistical barriers to care.
  
  
  METHODS
  A survey was conducted among 434 Combat veterans seeking care in nine Veterans Affairs mental health care outpatient clinics.
  
  
  RESULTS
  When compared to Vietnam and Gulf War veterans, OEF/OIF veterans were significantly more likely to endorse negative treatment attitudes as possible barriers to care. OEF/OIF veterans were also more likely than Vietnam veterans to endorse conflicting work demands as a potential barrier, although this was the only logistical barrier for which OEF/OIF veterans' responses differed significantly from those of veterans of other eras. Among OEF/OIF veterans, older veterans were more likely than younger veterans to endorse barriers related to cost and time commitments.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings suggest an important role for outreach and engagement strategies that address attitudinal barriers to treatment utilization among veteran populations.
authors.affiliation: South Texas Veterans Health Care System, Mental Health Outpatient Services, 5788 Eckhert Road 116A1, San Antonio, TX 78240.
authors.forename: Hector A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Garcia
authors.affiliation: South Texas Veterans Health Care System, Mental Health Outpatient Services, 5788 Eckhert Road 116A1, San Antonio, TX 78240.
authors.forename: Erin P
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Finley
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Texas Health Science Center, 7400 Merton Minter Boulevard, San Antonio, TX 78229-4404.
authors.forename: Norma
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ketchum
authors.affiliation: Puget Sound Health Care System, Deployment Health Clinic (S-116), Seattle, WA 98108.
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jakupcak
authors.affiliation: South Texas Veterans Health Care System, Mental Health Outpatient Services, 5788 Eckhert Road 116A1, San Antonio, TX 78240.
authors.forename: Albana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dassori
authors.affiliation: Institute for Integration of Medicine and Science, PBRN Resource Center, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 7400 Merton Minter Boulevard, San Antonio, TX 78229-4404.
authors.forename: Stephanie C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Reyes
mesh_terms: D055826:Afghan Campaign 2001-; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010045:Outpatients; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology*