Citation

Kopacz MS, Karras E. J. Am. Coll. Health 2014; 63(7): 496-501.

Affiliation

a VISN 2 Center of Excellence for Suicide Prevention, US Department of Veterans Affairs, Canandaigua , New York.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/07448481.2014.923430

PMID

24848307

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: (1) describe the demographic characteristics of student service members and Veterans (SSM/V) who seek pastoral care for mental health support; (2) evaluate patterns of access to mental healthcare providers among pastoral care users and non-users. Participants: Respondents to the Fall 2011 National College Health Assessment who reported a history of military service and ever having sought mental healthcare (n = 331).

METHODS: Differences between groups were examined using chi-squared and Student's t-tests. Adjusted odds ratios were estimated using ordinal logistic regression.

RESULTS: One-third of participants used pastoral care. Users were more likely to be male and older. No significant differences were noted for race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, or exposure to hazardous duty. Users had a greater than 6-fold increase in proportional odds of accessing multiple providers.

CONCLUSIONS: Many SSM/V look to pastoral care for mental health support. Colleges should consider incorporating a pastoral care component into specialized healthcare programs provided to SSM/V.

Language: en