Date Presented Accepted for AOTA INSPIRE 2021 but unable to be presented due to online event limitations.
A quantitative survey study to understand how critical factors such as quality of life, perceived stigma, and perceived barriers to care influence utilization of health care services. Results identified the importance of physical quality of life and perceived stigma on student veterans’ use of mental health services. Research on what drives mental health usage is a step toward destigmatizing the use of mental health services and improving available veteran campus resources.
Primary Author and Speaker: Yan-hua Huang
Additional Authors and Speakers: Adrian Patrick Tolentino Navarro, Lorie Park Micaella Salunga, Kimberly Vu Vanessa, Ortiz Jocelinne, Torres-Lizarde, and Monique Sanchez
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to understand how critical factors like quality of life, perceived stigma, and perceived barriers to care may influence the likelihood of utilizing mental health services for student veterans.
DESIGN: This quantitative survey research design utilized convenience sampling methods.
METHOD: Fifty student veterans who are 18 years or older and are currently pursuing a degree or certificate at a postsecondary institution completed an online survey consisting of the WHOQOL-BREF, the Self-Stigma of Seeking Psychological Help, and the Perceived Stigma and Barriers to Care for Psychological Problems survey, and demographic questionnaire.
RESULTS: Fifty student veterans were recruited from Veterans Resource Centers at various college campuses and online support groups for student veterans. Preliminary findings found moderate, negative correlation between physical quality of life and perceived stigma (r = -.49, p < .001), psychological quality of life and perceived stigma (r = -.51, p < .001), and social quality of life and perceived stigma (r = -.41, p < .001). There were low-moderate, negative correlations between psychological quality of life (r = -.38, p < .001) and environmental quality of life (r = -.44, p < .001) with barriers to mental health care. There were moderate, negative correlations between physical quality of life and past, current, and future mental health services use (r = -.51, -.51, -.41, p < .001, respectively). There were low-moderate, negative correlations between psychological quality of life and past, current, and future mental health service use (r = -.36, -.35, -.39, p < .05, respectively). There were low-moderate, positive correlations between perceived stigma and past and current mental health service use (r = .37, .50, p < .001, respectively). Physical quality of life was identified as a predictor of past and current mental health service use (B = -.48, -.37, p < .05, respectively). Perceived stigma was identified as a predictor of past and current mental health service use (B = .17, .19, p < .05, respectively).
DISCUSSION: Results depict physical quality of life and perceived stigma as main predictors for past and current use of mental health services for student veterans. To support student veterans utilization of mental health services, occupational therapists can collaborate with Veterans Resource Center to create support groups that address perceived stigma and promote quality of life.
CONCLUSION: This study sought to investigate the predictors of student veterans’ use of mental health service related to quality of life and perceived stigma. Occupational therapists can use the results gathered from the research to provide trauma-informed care provided by healthcare practitioners. By understanding the factors that drive mental health usage within this target population, occupational therapists can begin to address barriers to the health and well-being in the student veteran community.
References
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