Citation

Fortney JC, Curran GM, Hunt JB, Lu L, Eisenberg D, Valenstein M. Psychiatr. Serv. 2017; 68(8): 851-855.

Affiliation

Dr. Fortney is with the Department of Psychiatry, University of Washington School of Medicine, and with the Center of Innovation for Veteran-Centered and Value-Driven Care, Health Services Research and Development, Veterans Affairs (VA) Puget Sound Healthcare System, Seattle. Dr. Curran is with the Department of Pharmacy Practice and the Department of Psychiatry, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock. When this research was conducted, Dr. Hunt and Ms. Lu were with the latter department at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. Dr. Hunt is now with the Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks, Fayetteville, Arkansas. Dr. Eisenberg is with the Department of Health Management and Policy and Dr. Valenstein is with the Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Dr. Valenstein is also with the VA Center for Clinical Management Research, Ann Arbor.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, American Psychiatric Association)

DOI

10.1176/appi.ps.201600240

PMID

28412894

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: A Web-based survey examined treatment seeking among community college students to inform the design of engagement interventions.

METHODS: Veteran and civilian community college students (N=765) were screened for mental disorders and reported perceptions of treatment need, effectiveness, and stigma, as well as service use. Regression analysis identified predictors of pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy use.

RESULTS: Of the 511 students who screened positive for a current mental disorder or reported a perceived need for treatment (149 veterans and 362 civilians), 30% reported past-year use of psychotropic medications. Predictors were perceived treatment need (odds ratio [OR]=7.81, p<.001) and the perception that psychotropic medications are effective (OR=3.38, p=.012). Eleven percent of participants reported past-year psychotherapy use, and predictors were a positive screen for posttraumatic stress disorder (OR=2.78, p=.04) and poorer financial status.

CONCLUSIONS: Modifiable barriers, including perceived need for and effectiveness of treatment, were correlated with pharmacotherapy use and should be targeted by engagement interventions.

Language: en

Keywords

Anxiety; College mental health; Depression; PTSD; Substance Use Disorders; Veterans issues