A multisite study of Air Force outpatient behavioral health treatment-seeking patterns and career impact

This study examined 1,068 cases of active duty Air Force service members seen in eight Air Force outpatient mental health clinics during a 1-year period. Age, gender, rank, marital status, special duty status, diagnostic category, treatment completion, and recommendations to the member's unit were examined across referral sources (i.e., self-referred, supervisor-referred, or commander-directed). Results showed significant differences across all variables, with self-referred members being more likely to be older, single, higher ranking, and without special duty status, as well as to have a less significant axis I diagnosis. Self-referred members were less likely to have confidentiality broken and to have career-affecting recommendations made. The implications of these findings, in terms of targeting interventions to increase self-initiated help-seeking behavior, and recommendations for future research are discussed.