scholarly journals “It’s a sign of weakness:” Masculinity, Help-Seeking Behaviors, and Gender-Specific Experiences Accessing VA PTSD Care

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Molly Silvestrini ◽  
Jessica A. Chen
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Mental Health Care ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Female Veterans ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Help Seeking Behaviors ◽  
Ptsd Treatment ◽  
Male Veterans ◽  
Gender Specific

Abstract Background: Male veterans delay post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) treatment and are less likely to engage in help-seeking behaviors or receive adequate mental health treatment. Male veterans face additional stigma seeking mental health care due to traditional masculine ideologies perpetuated by military culture. This study presents the gender-specific perspectives of veterans accessing VA PTSD care, focusing particularly on the help-seeking behaviors and barriers to care experienced by male veterans. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 25 U.S. veterans seeking treatment in VA primary care. Qualitative data analysis was coded using Atlas.ti, and thematic analysis was used to develop and refine themes. This study is part of a larger study examining veterans’ initiation of PTSD treatment. Results: Findings indicate that male veterans may be reluctant to initiate PTSD care due to stigma, distrust of the military or mental health care, and a desire to avoid reliving their trauma. Social support may encourage help-seeking behaviors among this population. Both male and female veterans reported a need for non-combat PTSD care and resources for military sexual trauma (MST). Conclusions: Findings indicate that male veterans face unique challenges accessing mental health services and PTSD treatment, while both male and female veterans may benefit from increased VA services focused on MST and non-combat specific PTSD.

Predictors of mental health care use among male and female veterans deployed in support of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

2013 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 145-151 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brooke A. L. Di Leone ◽  
Dawne Vogt ◽  
Jaimie L. Gradus ◽  
Amy E. Street ◽  
Hannah L. Giasson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Mental Health Care ◽  
Health Care Use ◽  
Female Veterans ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Mental Health Care Use

Mental Health Problems and Help-Seeking among Adolescents

2021 ◽  
pp. 189-202
Author(s):  
E.V. Rezun ◽  
◽  
H.R. Slobodskaya ◽  
N.B. Semenova ◽  
T.O. Rippinen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Mental Health Care ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Sleep Disturbances ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Emotional And Behavioral Problems ◽  
Seeking Help

The mental health problems among adolescents have long-lasting effects throughout life. However, research evidence indicates that only 10–30% of adolescents who needed mental health care had received specialized help. The present study reports the prevalence of mental health problems and help-seeking among adolescents, taking into account gender and age differences. The sample included 1752 adolescents (47 % boys,) aged 12-17 years. Data were collected on in two Siberian cities (Novosibirsk and Krasnoyarsk) using an international self-report questionnaire developed for the school-based Eurasian Child Mental Health Study. Participants were recruited from 18 schools, students completed questionnaires anonymously during school lessons. Statistical analysis included analysis of variance (ANOVA), multiple regression analysis, and crosstabs using a chi-squared test. The level of emotional and behavioral problems in Siberian adolescents was slightly higher than that found in European and Asian countries. Twenty three percent of adolescents reported frequent headaches (at least once a week), 11 % reported frequent abdominal pain and 14% suffered from frequent sleep disturbances (3–5 times a week or more). Girls reported a significantly higher level of problems than boys, with the largest gender differences for emotional problems, recurrent pains and sleep disturbances. Weekly consumption of alcohol and daily use of nicotine among boys was more common than among girls (3 % and 6 %, respectively), whereas less frequent use of alcohol and nicotine was commoner in girls (16 %) than in boys (10 %); 7 % of boys and girls had tried drugs at least once. Suicidal thoughts were reported by 22 % of adolescents, 6 % reported suicide attempts and 6 % reported repeated self-harm. One third of adolescents considered seeking outside help and 9 % had actually done so. Girls reported more help-seeking than boys; older girls sought help more often than younger and middle-aged ones. Around one third of adolescents sought help from their relatives; 26 % from friends, the Internet or other non-professional sources; 5 % reported seeking help from a doctor or nurse, and 3 % from a psychologist. The most important independent predictors of seeking help were emotional symptoms, suicidal ideation and hyperactivity/inattention. The results suggest a need for future investigation of the factors associated with help-seeking behavior among adolescents. It is also necessary to develop mental health promotion programs for adolescents, interventions to improve mental health literacy and access to mental health care.

“Sincerely Held Principles” or Prejudice? The Tennessee Counseling Discrimination Law

2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
pp. 223-248 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick R. Grzanka ◽  
Elliot S. Spengler ◽  
Joseph R. Miles ◽  
Keri A. Frantell ◽  
Elliott N. DeVore
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Mental Health Care ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Minority Groups ◽  
Care Ethics ◽  
Health Care Ethics ◽  
Help Seeking Attitudes ◽  
Statewide Assessment ◽  
The Law

In 2016, Tennessee became the first state to allow counselors and therapists in private practice to deny services to any client based on the therapist’s sincerely held principles. The law’s proponents framed mental health care ethics as infringing on counselors’ religious liberties; its critics denounced the bill because it apparently targeted LGBT+ individuals. This exploratory study is the first statewide assessment of LGBT+ Tennesseans’ ( N = 346) perceptions of the law and how it may affect their help-seeking attitudes and behaviors. Evidence suggests widespread awareness of the law among our respondents and deep skepticism toward mental health care. Further, most respondents view the law as cover for discrimination. We stress the need for broader research on conscience clauses and call for advocacy against these laws, which have the potential to engender widespread harm to multiple minority groups.

scholarly journals Depression as seen through the eyes of rural Chinese women: Implications for help-seeking and the future of mental health care in China

2018 ◽  
Vol 227 ◽  
pp. 38-47 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peiyuan Qiu ◽  
Eric D. Caine ◽  
Fengsu Hou ◽  
Catherine Cerulli ◽  
Marsha N. Wittink
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Mental Health Care ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Chinese Women ◽  
The Future

scholarly journals Anxious and depressed women's experiences of emotional suffering and help seeking in a Rio de Janeiro favela

2017 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 75-86 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen Athié ◽  
Christopher Dowrick ◽  
Alice Lopes do Amaral Menezes ◽  
Luanda Cruz ◽  
Ana Cristina Lima ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Mental Health Care ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Rio De Janeiro ◽  
Care Service ◽  
Framework Analysis ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Social Rules ◽  
Primary Mental Health Care

Abstract Taking into consideration issues such as stigma and the mental health gap, this study explores narratives of anxious and depressed women treated in a community-based primary care service in a Rio de Janeiro favela about their suffering and care. We analysed 13 in-depth interviews using questions from Kadam's study. Framework analysis studied Access, Gateway, Trust, Psychosocial Issues, and Primary Mental Health Care, as key-concepts. Vulnerability and accessibility were the theoretical references. Thematic analysis found “suffering category”, highlighting family and community problems, and “help seeking category”, indicating how these women have coped with their emotional problems and addressed their needs through health services, community resources and self-help. Women's language patterns indicated links between implicit social rules and constraints to talk about suffering, especially if related to local violence. High medical turnover and overload are barriers for establishing a positive relationship with family physicians and continuity of care is a facilitator that promotes trust, security and adherence. Concluding, to plan community-based primary mental health care of this population, cultural and social factors must be comprehended as well as the work health teams conditions.

Preferences for Gender-Targeted Health Information

2013 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 240-248 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica A. Turchik ◽  
Samantha Rafie ◽  
Craig S. Rosen ◽  
Rachel Kimerling
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Mental Health Care ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Health Care Services ◽  
Sexual Trauma ◽  
Veterans Health ◽  
Health Administration ◽  
Male Veterans ◽  
Gender Neutral

No prior research has examined men’s opinions or preferences regarding receiving health education materials related to sexual violence. The objective of the current study was to investigate whether male veteran patients who have experienced military sexual trauma (MST) prefer gender-targeted versus gender-neutral printed health information and whether receipt of this information increased utilization of outpatient mental health services in the following 6-month period. In-person 45-minute interviews were conducted with 20 male veterans receiving health care services at a large Veterans Health Administration facility to evaluate opinions on a gender-targeted and a gender-neutral brochure about MST. An additional 153 veterans received psychoeducational materials through the mail and participated in the completion of a survey as part of a psychoeducational intervention. Our results demonstrate that male veterans prefer gender-targeted information about sexual trauma compared to gender-neutral information. Whereas veterans in the study had clear preferences for gender-targeted materials, receipt of information about MST (whether gender-targeted or gender-neutral) did not increase utilization of mental health care in the 6 months following receipt of these materials. These results demonstrated that materials about sexual trauma are acceptable to men and should be gender-targeted. Further research is needed to examine strategies to increase access to mental health care among male Veterans who have experienced MST.

scholarly journals Patient-Centered Mental Health Care for Female Veterans

2015 ◽  
Vol 66 (2) ◽  
pp. 155-162 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel Kimerling ◽  
Lori A. Bastian ◽  
Bevanne A. Bean-Mayberry ◽  
Meggan M. Bucossi ◽  
Diane V. Carney ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Mental Health Care ◽  
Female Veterans ◽  
Patient Centered
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