U.S. Army Soldiers’ Trust and Confidence in Mental Health Professionals

Abstract

Despite efforts to boost mental health treatment-seeking behaviors by combat veterans, rates have improved relatively little since 2004. Previous work suggests that trust and confidence in the mental health community may be a significant factor. This study explored how professional titles may impact trust and confidence among active-duty U.S. Army soldiers (n = 32). Consistent with previous research, eight vignettes were used to solicit ordinal (ranked) trust and confidence scores for mental health professionals. Highest confidence and trust were seen in clinical psychologists and licensed professional counselors, followed by psychiatrists, licensed clinical social workers, and marriage and family therapists; however, deviations were seen for each individual vignette and the manifested symptoms depicted. Scores for trust and confidence were strongly correlated and both appear to impact soldiers' treatment-seeking decisions.

Serving those who serve: Psychotherapy with military clients

“…The decision to publish an issue of the Journal of Clinical Psychology: In Session focusing on civilian therapists who work with military clients was based on a number of observations: (a) It is still not common for combat veterans to avail themselves of any psychological services at all (Hartman, Schuermann, & Kenney, ), so when they do, having access both to military and civilian sources matters; (b) as military personnel leave their respective services, available services diminish, despite the need for continuing assistance that can involve complex intersecting factors that impact coping as well as resiliency; and (c) As they transition out, some members of the military may not want to revisit their military careers even if they can access help. Botero et al (this issue) detail some of the barriers to veterans seeking assistance.…”