Date of Conferral

2-7-2025

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Counselor Education and Supervision

Advisor

Allison Spargo

Abstract

The purpose of this nonexperimental, quantitative survey research study was to investigate the potential barriers to mental health care that female veterans who participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) experience. As the female veteran population continues to grow so does the need for gender-specific literature. Past researchers have indicated that there is limited research on female veterans. Data was collected during the fall of 2024 using an online survey method. This study consisted of one research question, which stated as follows: To what extent does stigma, attitudes, and combat exposure act as barriers for female OIF/OEF veterans seeking mental health help at the VA? This study hypothesized that stigma, attitudes, and combat exposure are significant barriers to female OIF/OEF veterans seeking mental health help at the VA. This study was grounded on the feminist and multicultural theories. A multiple regression was used to analyze the data. The results of the analysis indicated that the independent variables were not found to significantly predict whether female OIF/OEF veterans seek out mental health help at the VA’s. The results of this study may not be statistically significant, but they add to the literature on female veterans and can potentially help medical and mental health providers understand a female veteran’s needs and if any barriers are being experienced.

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