Determinants of mental health treatment seeking among soldiers who recognize their problem: implications for high-risk occupations

Although research has documented an increased risk of mental health problems among employees in high-stress occupations, little attention has been devoted to the process by which employees seek treatment for these problems. Using components of the Stages of Change Model (Prochaska & DiClemente,...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Work and stress 2016-10, Vol.30 (4), p.318-336
Main Authors: Britt, Thomas W., Jennings, Kristen S., Cheung, Janelle H., Pury, Cynthia L.S., Zinzow, Heidi M., Raymond, Mary Anne, McFadden, Anna C.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Emergency services
high-stress occupations
Mental health
Mental health care
mental health treatment
military
Military personnel
Occupational stress
Problems
self-reliance
Stigma
Treatment seeking
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Summary:Although research has documented an increased risk of mental health problems among employees in high-stress occupations, little attention has been devoted to the process by which employees seek treatment for these problems. Using components of the Stages of Change Model (Prochaska & DiClemente, 1982), this study examined the correlates of considering and receiving treatment for such problems among active-duty military personnel in the U.S. Army. A multidimensional assessment of determinants of treatment seeking was administered to 1725 military personnel, along with measures of mental health symptoms and treatment seeking. These determinants were examined as predictors of considering and receiving treatment among a sub-sample of 466 personnel who recognized having a current mental health problem. Multinomial logistic regressions indicated that attitudes towards treatment and a preference for self-reliance distinguished those considering treatment from those who had not sought treatment. A larger number of factors distinguished soldiers considering treatment from those who had actually received treatment, with operational barriers and self-reliance being the strongest and unique correlates. The discussion focuses on the importance of what organizations can do to facilitate treatment seeking among employees in high-risk environments.
ISSN:0267-8373
1464-5335
DOI:10.1080/02678373.2016.1246490