Survey respondents may inaccurately report mental health service utilization for motivational and cognitive reasons. There is little evidence on accuracy of self-reports of mental health service use, and this evidence suggests that respondents tend to underreport inpatient utilization. This study addressed the question of self-report accuracy by comparing survey data from a large probability sample to data from computerized records of publicly funded mental health services. Few inaccuracies in self-reporting were detected. However, despite the use of data bases that were unusually appropriate for verifying self-reports, several problems limited the feasibility of validation. Suggestions are offered for increasing the feasibility of validation in future studies.

An analysis is presented of the content and process over a one year's period of time of 81 sessions with three therapy groups of help-seeking Vietnam theater veterans. Data were collected concerning the frequency and content of the symptoms and issues that were discussed, the frequency and relationship of the discussion of current life issues versus Vietnam and pre-and post-Vietnam life issues, the predominant therapeutic themes that emerged in the groupsOne of the maj or therapeutic approaches to treatment for survivors of trauma who manifest post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms is the peer-oriented treatment group comprised of fellow survivors. Since the early 1970s, "rap groups" of Vietnam veterans have been found particularly helpful in dealing with residuals of the Vietnam and stressful post-Vietnam homecoming experiences. The groups have tried to help veterans process unresolved traumatic combat experiences and accompanying post-traumatic stress symptoms, such as intrusive thoughts and memories of Vietnam, survivor's guilt, and sleep disturbances, and to deal with the compounded and exacerbated feelings of being used, abused and discarded caused by the "unwelcome home" accorded many Vietnam veterans. To date, literature about such Vietnam veteran's rap groups has consisted almost entirely of the reporting of retrospective clinical impressions about what has gone on in the rap groups. Clinical retrospections and impressions are valuable sources of data; however, they lack a more objective and systematic approach to data collection. Also, since there has been much disagreement about what symptoms should be included in the diagnostic category of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as it relates in particular to combat veterans, reports on the nature of rap group treatment for PTSD have focused on different symptoms and issues.In this article, we first selectively review the major themes in the literature that describe what typically has been discussed in rap groups of Vietnam combat veterans. Then, we describe the results of a systematic approach to data collection over a year's period of time in three Vietnam combat veterans' "rap/ therapy" groups facilitated by mental health professionals. Data were collected concerning the symptoms or issues that were discussed, major therapeutic themes, and the kinds of therapy interventions provided by the group facilitators. Finally, implications for a combined "rap" and "therapy" group structure and format li.e., "rap/therapy" group} are discussed. BACKGROUND