Demographic, clinical, and military factors related to military mental health referral patterns

This study examined 693 cases of active duty members from all service branches seen in an Air Force outpatient mental health clinic over a 3-year period. Age, gender, rank, marital status, duty status, presence of special duty status, diagnostic category, and recommendations to the member's unit were examined across referral sources (i.e., self-referred, referred by others in authority, and command-ordered). Results showed significant differences across all variables, with self-referred members being more likely to be older, higher ranking, and married. Permanently assigned members were more likely than students to self-refer. Members with special duty status were less likely to self-refer. Self-referred members were less likely to have recommendations made with negative career impacts. The implications of these findings in terms of targeting interventions to increase self-initiated help-seeking behavior as well as recommendations for future research are discussed.