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Trends in mental health services utilization and stigma in US soldiers from 2002 to 2011

Author

Listed:
  • Quartana, P.J.
  • Wilk, J.E.
  • Thomas, J.L.
  • Bray, R.M.
  • Olmsted, K.L.R.
  • Brown, J.M.
  • Williams, J.
  • Kim, P.Y.
  • Clarke-Walper, K.
  • Hoge, C.W.

Abstract

Objectives. We characterized trends in mental health services utilization and stigma over the course of the Afghanistan and Iraq warsamong active-component US soldiers. Methods. We evaluated trends in mental health services utilization and stigma using US Army data from the Health-Related Behavior (HRB) surveys from 2002, 2005, and 2008 (n = 12 835) and the Land Combat Study (LCS) surveys administered to soldiers annually from 2003 to 2009 and again in 2011 (n = 22 627). Results. HRB and LCS data suggested increasedmental health services utilization and decreased stigma in US soldiers between 2002 and 2011. These trends were evident in soldiers with and without posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), major depressive disorder (MDD), or PTSD and MDD. Despite the improving trends, more than half of soldiers with mental health problems did not report seeking care. Conclusions. Mental health services utilization increased and stigma decreased over the course of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Although promising, these findings indicate that a significant proportion of US soldiers meeting criteria for PTSD or MDD do not utilize mental health services, and stigma remains a pervasive problem requiring further attention.

Suggested Citation

  • Quartana, P.J. & Wilk, J.E. & Thomas, J.L. & Bray, R.M. & Olmsted, K.L.R. & Brown, J.M. & Williams, J. & Kim, P.Y. & Clarke-Walper, K. & Hoge, C.W., 2014. "Trends in mental health services utilization and stigma in US soldiers from 2002 to 2011," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 104(9), pages 1671-1679.
    • Handle: RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:10.2105/ajph.2014.301971_5
    DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2014.301971
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    Cited by:

    1. Paweł Rasmus & Anna Lipert & Krzysztof Pękala & Małgorzata Timler & Elżbieta Kozłowska & Katarzyna Robaczyńska & Tomasz Sobów & Remigiusz Kozłowski & Michał Marczak & Dariusz Timler, 2021. "The Influence of a Psychosocial Rehabilitation Program in a Community Health Setting for Patients with Chronic Mental Disorders," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(8), pages 1-11, April.

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