Work

Postdeployment Treatment Gap: Symptoms and Treatment Utilization Among Returning National Guard Soldiers

Year: 2022

Type: article

Abstract: This study evaluated rates of psychiatric symptoms and mental health treatment utilization among National Guard service members during postdeployment. National Guard service members ( N = 311) completed surveys assessing demographics, beliefs about mental health treatment, emotion regulation strategies, and psychiatric symptoms. Mental health treatment utilization was assessed at the 6-months follow-up. Postdeployment, 41.2% of the sample had psychiatric symptoms above the clinical cut-off for at least one symptom measure. This proportion increased at follow-up (53.5%). Alcohol use disorder (AUD) symptoms showed the largest increase ( d = 0.66), although symptoms of depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) also showed small magnitude increases. Among those with elevated symptoms postdeployment ( n = 128), only 27.8% received mental health treatment at follow-up. Severity of depression, anxiety, and PTSD were higher among those who utilized treatment. The postdeployment period is a vulnerable one. Continued efforts to understand and address barriers to treatment for this population are warranted.

Source: The Counseling Psychologist

DOI: 10.1177/00110000221074019