Student Service Members and Veterans Who Access Pastoral Care for the Purposes of Mental Health Support.
OBJECTIVE
(1) Describe the demographic characteristics of student service members and veterans (SSM/V) who seek pastoral care for mental health support; and (2) evaluate patterns of access to mental health care providers among pastoral care users and nonusers.


METHODS
Respondents to the Fall 2011 National College Health Assessment who reported a history of military service and ever having sought mental health care (n = 331).


METHODS
Differences between groups were examined using chi-square and Student's t tests. Adjusted odds ratios were estimated using ordinal logistic regression.


RESULTS
One-third of participants used pastoral care. Users were more likely to be male and older. No significant differences were noted for race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, or exposure to hazardous duty. Users had a greater than 6-fold increase in proportional odds of accessing multiple providers.


CONCLUSIONS
Many SSM/V look to pastoral care for mental health support. Colleges should consider incorporating a pastoral care component into specialized health care programs provided to SSM/V.
Marek S
MS
Kopacz
Elizabeth
E
Karras
D000328:Adult; D002977:Clergy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003376:Counseling / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010327:Pastoral Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014495:Universities; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
counseling; mental health, pastoral care