Abstract
Background
It is suspected that Northern Ireland (NI) veterans have higher rates of poor mental health due to exacerbated trauma exposure. However, security issues create the tendency to self-marginalise, therefore, help-seeking (HS) for poor mental health is likely reduced.
Aims
This study examined the predictors of actual HS behaviour, as these findings have implications for veteran care within NI.
Methods
Logistic regression was conducted on data from 603 participants. HS was defined as ever/currently having medication or therapy, with predictors being mental health comorbidities (alcohol, anxiety, depression, PTSD, C_PTSD, dissociation), attitudes towards mental health and transition. Analysis was adjusted for military and demographic factors.
Results
The main predictor of medication use was mental health comorbidity, with higher levels of comorbidity having a greater effect on current use. ‘High comorbid all disorders’ was the most salient predictor (OR4.37 ‘ever’; OR9.64 ‘current), followed by anxiety/depression (OR3.61 ‘ever’; OR4.71 ‘current’) and PTSD with moderate depression/alcohol (OR3.86 ‘current’). Being female (OR3.35) and deployment outside NI (OR2.07) predicted historic medication use. Poor transition, shorter length of service, positive attitudes and mental health diagnosis since discharge had positive but smaller effects on HS via medication. Therapy use was only predicted by transition (OR2.32), length of service (OR.96), attitudes (OR.47) and diagnosis since discharge (OR.13). Current therapy engagement was disregarded from analysis due to lack of variation in responses (not in therapy >90%).
Discussion
Therapy and medication use had differing predictors, which is likely due to support service issues and the need to self-marginalise. NI veterans will HS mainly via medication, possibly because medication is free in NI and veterans do not have to disclose their military service within their medical records. Other factors likely drove historic therapy use; it is unclear if therapy was engaged in outside NI where support access is easier. A heavy reliance on social or peer support could act as a proxy for current therapy engagement. Social or informal support also allows veterans to remain hidden.
It is suspected that Northern Ireland (NI) veterans have higher rates of poor mental health due to exacerbated trauma exposure. However, security issues create the tendency to self-marginalise, therefore, help-seeking (HS) for poor mental health is likely reduced.
Aims
This study examined the predictors of actual HS behaviour, as these findings have implications for veteran care within NI.
Methods
Logistic regression was conducted on data from 603 participants. HS was defined as ever/currently having medication or therapy, with predictors being mental health comorbidities (alcohol, anxiety, depression, PTSD, C_PTSD, dissociation), attitudes towards mental health and transition. Analysis was adjusted for military and demographic factors.
Results
The main predictor of medication use was mental health comorbidity, with higher levels of comorbidity having a greater effect on current use. ‘High comorbid all disorders’ was the most salient predictor (OR4.37 ‘ever’; OR9.64 ‘current), followed by anxiety/depression (OR3.61 ‘ever’; OR4.71 ‘current’) and PTSD with moderate depression/alcohol (OR3.86 ‘current’). Being female (OR3.35) and deployment outside NI (OR2.07) predicted historic medication use. Poor transition, shorter length of service, positive attitudes and mental health diagnosis since discharge had positive but smaller effects on HS via medication. Therapy use was only predicted by transition (OR2.32), length of service (OR.96), attitudes (OR.47) and diagnosis since discharge (OR.13). Current therapy engagement was disregarded from analysis due to lack of variation in responses (not in therapy >90%).
Discussion
Therapy and medication use had differing predictors, which is likely due to support service issues and the need to self-marginalise. NI veterans will HS mainly via medication, possibly because medication is free in NI and veterans do not have to disclose their military service within their medical records. Other factors likely drove historic therapy use; it is unclear if therapy was engaged in outside NI where support access is easier. A heavy reliance on social or peer support could act as a proxy for current therapy engagement. Social or informal support also allows veterans to remain hidden.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Publication status | Published - 17 Oct 2022 |
| Event | Canadian Institute for Military and Veteran Health Research (CIMVHR) Forum 2022 - Halifax, Canada Duration: 17 Oct 2022 → 19 Oct 2022 Conference number: 12 https://cimvhrforum.ca/timeline_slider_post/cimvhr-forum-2022/ (Link to Conference Website) |
Conference
| Conference | Canadian Institute for Military and Veteran Health Research (CIMVHR) Forum 2022 |
|---|---|
| Abbreviated title | CIMVHR Forum 2022 |
| Country/Territory | Canada |
| City | Halifax |
| Period | 17/10/22 → 19/10/22 |
| Internet address |
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