TY - JOUR
T1 - Barriers to mental health treatment for military wives
AU - Lewy, Colleen S.
AU - Oliver, Celina M.
AU - McFarland, Bentson H.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2014, American Psychiatric Association. All rights reserved.
PY - 2014/9/1
Y1 - 2014/9/1
N2 - Objective: An Internet-based survey sought information about barriers to mental health services for military wives. Methods: On the basis of qualitative work, an Internet-based program was created to identify military wives who may have major depressive disorder. Results: Women (N=569, ages 18 to 56) were recruited from 45 states and eight foreign countries. Most participants (78%) reported mild to severe depression. Many (44%) reported unaddressed mental health needs. Barriers included inability to attend daytime appointments (38%), inability to find a counselor who understands the needs of military spouses (35%), inability to find a counselor the participant could trust (29%), concerns about confidentiality (26%), and lack of knowledge about where to get services (25%). The barriers reported differed markedly from those described by distressed women in the general population. Conclusions: Military wives are an underserved population. Knowledge of military culture is essential for civilian mental health providers working with military wives.
AB - Objective: An Internet-based survey sought information about barriers to mental health services for military wives. Methods: On the basis of qualitative work, an Internet-based program was created to identify military wives who may have major depressive disorder. Results: Women (N=569, ages 18 to 56) were recruited from 45 states and eight foreign countries. Most participants (78%) reported mild to severe depression. Many (44%) reported unaddressed mental health needs. Barriers included inability to attend daytime appointments (38%), inability to find a counselor who understands the needs of military spouses (35%), inability to find a counselor the participant could trust (29%), concerns about confidentiality (26%), and lack of knowledge about where to get services (25%). The barriers reported differed markedly from those described by distressed women in the general population. Conclusions: Military wives are an underserved population. Knowledge of military culture is essential for civilian mental health providers working with military wives.
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U2 - 10.1176/appi.ps.201300325
DO - 10.1176/appi.ps.201300325
M3 - Article
C2 - 24933260
AN - SCOPUS:84907095504
SN - 1075-2730
VL - 65
SP - 1170
EP - 1173
JO - Psychiatric Services
JF - Psychiatric Services
IS - 9
ER -