Subtypes of Mental Health Stigma and Barriers to Care Among National Guard Personnel: Results of a Latent Class Analysis

Abstract

U.S. National Guard (NG) military personnel experience many barriers to care such as limited access to health-care services and geographic separation from service providers. Although stigma and barriers to mental health care have been examined in the military, little is known about how different facets of stigma and barriers to care might impact different military subgroups. In a sample of 965 NG personnel, latent class analysis was used to identify distinct subgroups of stigma and barriers to care. Four groups were identified: no stigma or barriers (31%), mild stigma and barriers (30%), high stigma and career concerns (20%), and moderate stigma and barriers (20%). Classes significantly differed with respect to several demographic characteristics, rates of mental health conditions, and rates of previous suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Results suggest that different subgroups of NG personnel vary with respect to levels of perceived stigma, barriers to care, and mental health needs.