Treatment Utilization for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in a National Sample of Veterans and Nonveterans

Abstract

Objective: The current study sought to compare rates of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) treatment utilization (medication and psychotherapy) among veterans and nonveterans—and to investigate which factors are associated with treatment utilization among veterans versus nonveterans. Methods: Participants were 2775 individuals (veteran, n=2508; nonveteran, n=267) meeting criteria for probable PTSD (determined by the PTSD Checklist) drawn from a nationwide, population-based survey. Participants reported demographic information, trauma history, mental health symptoms, insurance coverage, and treatment history. Results: Analyses revealed that the majority of veterans and nonveterans with probable PTSD had not received any PTSD treatment (56% of veterans and 86% of nonveterans). Population-weighted logistic regression models demonstrated that veterans with probable PTSD were substantially more likely to receive medication and psychotherapy for PTSD than nonveterans with probable PTSD. Logistic regression models demonstrated that, among veterans, having Veterans Affairs health care coverage was most strongly associated with receiving PTSD medication and psychotherapy. Black (vs. White) veterans were less likely to have received PTSD medication and psychotherapy. In contrast, among nonveterans, being married or divorced (vs. never married) was most strongly associated with receiving PTSD medication, and reporting a history of sexual trauma was most strongly associated with receiving PTSD psychotherapy. Conclusion: Given that most individuals do not receive PTSD treatment, additional understanding of treatment barriers and facilitators for both veterans and nonveterans is needed to improve intervention reach.