Project Title

A Pilot Study on Mental Health Treatment Preference in Veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Faculty Mentor(s) Name(s)

Stephanie Jett

Abstract

This study investigates combat veterans of the United States Armed Forces who report significant PTSD symptomatology and their preferred mental health treatment preferences. Due to the high prevalence of PTSD within the population, combat veterans may require greater access to mental health treatment. However, because of factors like stigma and honor culture, it is suggested that there is a tendency for veterans to not utilize the available mental health treatment resources. Clinicians’ ability to predict outcomes of treatment adherence and compliance is hindered by gaps in understanding of therapeutic modalities in which veterans participate or prefer. However, a lack of research exists which explores treatment options veterans might prefer when given a choice. To address these gaps, we developed a treatment choice list that included possible treatments for PTSD, ranging from empirically validated (first-line options - e.g., group counseling, cognitive behavioral therapy) to nontraditional (second-line options - e.g., agricultural therapy) and experimental (e.g., marijuana, psilocybin) treatment options. Brief summaries of the treatment options were provided in the survey to allow for informed decisions regarding interest to be made. Participants were then asked to indicate their willingness to participate in each treatment choice on a sliding scale of zero (no interest) to five (very interested). This study utilized a modified community based participatory action research (CbPAR) design, which defers a priori hypotheses in favor of a population-driven exploration of shared interests and preferences within the community. The preliminary results indicated that veterans are less interested in first-line treatment options, but rather they favor second-line or other experimental options instead. From the results, clinicians who work with this population will be informed of their attitudes and preferences for treatment modalities and allow veterans’ voices to be elevated and amplified through another venue.

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A Pilot Study on Mental Health Treatment Preference in Veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

This study investigates combat veterans of the United States Armed Forces who report significant PTSD symptomatology and their preferred mental health treatment preferences. Due to the high prevalence of PTSD within the population, combat veterans may require greater access to mental health treatment. However, because of factors like stigma and honor culture, it is suggested that there is a tendency for veterans to not utilize the available mental health treatment resources. Clinicians’ ability to predict outcomes of treatment adherence and compliance is hindered by gaps in understanding of therapeutic modalities in which veterans participate or prefer. However, a lack of research exists which explores treatment options veterans might prefer when given a choice. To address these gaps, we developed a treatment choice list that included possible treatments for PTSD, ranging from empirically validated (first-line options - e.g., group counseling, cognitive behavioral therapy) to nontraditional (second-line options - e.g., agricultural therapy) and experimental (e.g., marijuana, psilocybin) treatment options. Brief summaries of the treatment options were provided in the survey to allow for informed decisions regarding interest to be made. Participants were then asked to indicate their willingness to participate in each treatment choice on a sliding scale of zero (no interest) to five (very interested). This study utilized a modified community based participatory action research (CbPAR) design, which defers a priori hypotheses in favor of a population-driven exploration of shared interests and preferences within the community. The preliminary results indicated that veterans are less interested in first-line treatment options, but rather they favor second-line or other experimental options instead. From the results, clinicians who work with this population will be informed of their attitudes and preferences for treatment modalities and allow veterans’ voices to be elevated and amplified through another venue.