Families' experiences of supporting Australian veterans to seek help for a mental health problem: a linked data analysis of national surveys with families and veterans.
Families
help-seeking
mental health
quantitative
veterans
Journal
Journal of mental health (Abingdon, England)
ISSN: 1360-0567
Titre abrégé: J Ment Health
Pays: England
ID NLM: 9212352
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
Oct 2023
Oct 2023
Historique:
medline:
13
9
2023
pubmed:
8
3
2023
entrez:
7
3
2023
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
Families play a critical role in supporting currently serving and transitioned veterans' wellbeing and help-seeking for mental health concerns; however, little is known about families' experiences. This study used Australian national survey linked-data (n = 1217) from families (Family Wellbeing Study-FWS) and veterans (Mental Health Wellbeing Transition Study-MHWTS) to understand veteran-family help-seeking relationships. Veterans' and family members' responses to mental health and help-seeking questions in FWS and MHWTS datasets from perspective of family members were cross-tabulated. Help-seeking support provided by family members was compared by veterans' probable disorder. Results highlighted high levels of involvement and continuous assistance provided by families. Two in three family members thought the veteran had probable mental health concerns although they have never been diagnosed or treated. Clear disparities between family and veteran perspectives regarding mental health concerns indicates the extent of non-treatment seeking in this population, missed opportunities for early intervention, and need for greater support to families to promote help-seeking. Encouraging help-seeking is complex for veteran families particularly where veterans' reluctance to seek help may lead to family relationship strain and conflict. Families need early information, support, and recognition by service agencies of the role of the family in encouraging help-seeking.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
UNASSIGNED
Families play a critical role in supporting currently serving and transitioned veterans' wellbeing and help-seeking for mental health concerns; however, little is known about families' experiences.
AIMS
UNASSIGNED
This study used Australian national survey linked-data (n = 1217) from families (Family Wellbeing Study-FWS) and veterans (Mental Health Wellbeing Transition Study-MHWTS) to understand veteran-family help-seeking relationships.
METHODS
UNASSIGNED
Veterans' and family members' responses to mental health and help-seeking questions in FWS and MHWTS datasets from perspective of family members were cross-tabulated. Help-seeking support provided by family members was compared by veterans' probable disorder.
RESULTS
UNASSIGNED
Results highlighted high levels of involvement and continuous assistance provided by families. Two in three family members thought the veteran had probable mental health concerns although they have never been diagnosed or treated. Clear disparities between family and veteran perspectives regarding mental health concerns indicates the extent of non-treatment seeking in this population, missed opportunities for early intervention, and need for greater support to families to promote help-seeking.
CONCLUSIONS
UNASSIGNED
Encouraging help-seeking is complex for veteran families particularly where veterans' reluctance to seek help may lead to family relationship strain and conflict. Families need early information, support, and recognition by service agencies of the role of the family in encouraging help-seeking.
Identifiants
pubmed: 36880331
doi: 10.1080/09638237.2023.2182418
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM