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Service members are at substantial risk for developing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to trauma experienced during recent deployments. Studies have documented PTSD in 5 to 45 percent of military personnel. Yet research indicates that only 23 to 40 percent of service members seek treatment. Admitting to a psychological problem as opposed to a medical problem was found to be more stigmatizing to service members, and most believed that their military career would be harmed by admitting that they needed treatment. To improve our knowledge of stigma-related concerns, this study assessed the value of a one-hour briefing with 201 noncommissioned officers to document and influence their knowledge and attitudes about PTSD, treatment seeking, and effective treatments. After the briefing, among other findings, participants' belief about PTSD treatment effectiveness increased [t (171) = -4.73, p < 0.0001] and they had less uncertainty as to where to seek PTSD treatment [t (171) = -3.33, p < 0.001]. Findings from this study offer emerging evidence for using brief educational interventions to influence service members' beliefs about PTSD, treatment effectiveness, and willingness to seek treatment.
Keywords: mental health treatment, military, posttraumatic stress disorder, stigma
Introduction
As compared to civilian populations, military personnel face a number of unique mental health stressors. For example, service members are frequently exposed to situations involving great personal risk, such as firefights and improvised explosive device blasts, as well as highly stressful situations, including long deployments and handling human remains (Zinzow, Britt, McFadden, Burnett, & Gillispie, 2012). Furthermore, a documented mental health diagnosis or a history of mental health treatment can potentially affect a service member's career including determination of fitness for duty, eligibility for certain career tracks, or ability to obtain security clearance (Baker, 2008; Momen, Strychacz, & Viire, 2012; Westphal, 2007). Career-related concerns, as well as general concerns about how individuals with mental health problems are perceived (e.g., as weak or cowardly), can contribute to stigma regarding mental health issues and the anticipation of stigma from unit leaders, unit members, family and friends, and the public in general (Vogt, 2011; Zinzow et al., 2012). This pre-post pilot study evaluated the influence of a one-hour educational briefing with military leaders to reduce stigma related to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and increase knowledge, attitudes,...