Student Service Members and Veterans Who Access Pastoral Care for the Purposes of Mental Health Support

Abstract

Abstract. Objectives: (1) Describe the demographic characteristics of student service members and veterans (SSM/V) who seek pastoral care for mental health support; and (2) evaluate patterns of access to mental health care providers among pastoral care users and nonusers. Participants: Respondents to the Fall 2011 National College Health Assessment who reported a history of military service and ever having sought mental health care (n = 331). Methods: Differences between groups were examined using chi-square and Student's t tests. Adjusted odds ratios were estimated using ordinal logistic regression. Results: One-third of participants used pastoral care. Users were more likely to be male and older. No significant differences were noted for race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, or exposure to hazardous duty. Users had a greater than 6-fold increase in proportional odds of accessing multiple providers. Conclusions: Many SSM/V look to pastoral care for mental health support. Colleges should consider incorporating a pastoral care component into specialized health care programs provided to SSM/V.

Keywords:

• counseling
• mental health, pastoral care