The effect of Veteran index trauma on PTSD literacy

Abstract:Accurate diagnosis and mental health treatment is essential in alleviating posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, a lack of mental health literacy (MHL) can be a barrier to treatment, and studies exploring MHL for PTSD in veterans are sparse. This study aimed to address this gap by exploring the effects of gender, type of military trauma, and participant characteristics on PTSD literacy in the general population. The study of 312 participants (M = 37.82, SD = 11.92) had an even distribution of female and male participants and examined the effects of both veteran and participant characteristics on PTSD literacy. Participants answered survey questions in response to a fictional vignette which detailed a veteran’s PTSD symptoms. The vignettes were all similar, with the exceptions of gender and index trauma of the veteran. Neither index trauma nor gender of the veteran influenced PTSD recognition. However, participants who were female, had higher levels of education, identified as white, had mental health field experience, and had a military background were less likely to correctly identify PTSD. Additionally, participants who had higher levels of education, had mental health field experience, and had a military background perceived the veteran’s level of distress as being lower. Lastly, participants were more likely to recommend as helpful interventions "talking to friends, family, or other loved ones" and “taking over the counter medication” for male veterans. These findings have implications for the critical role that cultural identity and individual biases play in providing care and support for veterans living with PTSD. The findings also indicate a strong need for ongoing education for both clinicians and the general public in order to address disparities in intervention recommendations for veterans.