Asian American and Pacific islander military veterans in the united states: Health service use and perceived barriers to mental health services

J. Tsai, J.M. Whealin and R.H. Pietrzak

American Journal of Public Health, 2014, vol. 104, issue S4, S538-S547

Abstract: Objectives. We (1) compared use of various health services nationally between Asian American and Pacific Islander (AA/PI) veterans and veterans of other racial/ ethnic groups and (2) specifically compared perceived barriers and stigma related to mental health services. Methods. Using bivariate and multivariable statistics, we analyzed a population weighted sample of 8315 veterans from the 2010 National Survey of Veterans and a random sample of 567 recent veterans from Hawaii. Results. A total of 1.5% of veterans were AA/PI compared with 0.4% a decade ago. Compared with other veterans, AA/PI veterans reported higher socioeconomic status and better mental health, although these findings may be specific to AA veterans. Adjusting for sociodemographic and health differences, we found no differences in health service use or perceived barriers or stigma related to mental health services. Conclusions. AA/PIs are a small but fast-growing racial/ethnic group within the veteran population that deserves attention. Although veteran status may be protective against some barriers to mental health care found in the general AA/PI population, efforts to reduce barriers to health care among veterans should be continued.

Keywords: adult; aged; ancestry group; article; Asian American; female; health care delivery; health service; health status; human; male; mental health; mental health service; middle aged; Oceanic ancestry group; social class; statistics; United States; utilization review; veteran; veterans health, Adult; Aged; Asian Americans; Continental Population Groups; Female; Health Services; Health Services Accessibility; Health Services Needs and Demand; Health Status; Humans; Male; Mental Health; Mental Health Services; Middle Aged; Oceanic Ancestry Group; Social Class; United States; Veterans; Veterans Health (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2014
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:10.2105/ajph.2014.302124_1

DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2014.302124

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