Subtypes of Mental Health Stigma and Barriers to Care Among National Guard Personnel: Results of a Latent Class Analysis

Keywords

National Guard, limits to military health care, barriers to military mental health care, military subgroups

Abstract

U.S. National Guard (NG) military personnel experience many barriers to care such as limited access to health-care services and geographic separation from service providers. Although stigma and barriers to mental health care have been examined in the military, little is known about how different facets of stigma and barriers to care might impact different military subgroups. In a sample of 965 NG personnel, latent class analysis was used to identify distinct subgroups of stigma and barriers to care. Four groups were identified: no stigma or barriers (31%), mild stigma and barriers (30%), high stigma and career concerns (20%), and moderate stigma and barriers (20%). Classes significantly differed with respect to several demographic characteristics, rates of mental health conditions, and rates of previous suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Results suggest that different subgroups of NG personnel vary with respect to levels of perceived stigma, barriers to care, and mental health needs.

Original Publication Citation

Bryan, C. J., Wood, D., Applegarth, M., & Bryan, A. O. (2020). Subtypes of Mental Health Stigma and Barriers to Care Among National Guard Personnel: Results of a Latent Class Analysis. Armed Forces & Society, 46(3), 424–437.

Document Type

Peer-Reviewed Article

Publication Date

2019-04-10

Permanent URL

http://hdl.lib.byu.edu/1877/6810

Publisher

Armed Forces & Society

Language

English

College

Family, Home, and Social Sciences

Department

Social Work

University Standing at Time of Publication

Assistant Professor

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