Disabled American Veterans

Though women have volunteered to serve in our Nation’s military since the American Revolutionary War and in each American war thereafter, female Veterans have consistently dealt with the minimization of their service and status when compared to men (Disabled American Veterans [DAV], 2014). Unfortunately, some of those same barriers still exist today, as female Veterans are frequently under-recognized for their roles and participation in combat, even by females themselves. Females serve in the military in the same capacity as men and experience similar, sometimes worse, health conditions as a result of their military and wartime experiences. Female Veterans of each era deserve equal respect and consideration, and should receive the specialized,
gender-sensitive care that their conditions warrant. Instead, this population often deals with a healthcare system that puts them at risk each time they seek treatment simply because the system has been designed for and dominated by men (Ryan, McGrath, Creech, & Borsari, 2015). Although policy changes have been made throughout the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) and research on female Veterans’ health expanded in breadth and depth, this population is still subjected to a male-dominated system that represents a multitude of barriers that deter their desire to seek the help they deserve.
Throughout this study, research will focus on female Veterans who served after September 11, 2001 (Post-9/11) and in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), as this is histories largest cohort of females who have actively and extensively engaged in combat operations (National Center for Veteran Analysis and Statistics [NCVAS], 2017, p. 5). This is also the cohort to which I, the researcher, belong as a female Veteran. This study will be used to improve understanding of the perceived barriers of female Veterans toward physical and mental health services.
Though the Veterans Affairs (VA) Administration has made progress in recent years by establishing women’s health centers and consultants for women’s health services, gender-specific services are still limited. There is still a need for research into effective screening and treatment options for female Veterans with physical and mental health needs that differ from their male counterparts (Rivera & Johnson, 2014, p. 135).
Statement of the Research Problem
As of October 2016, more than 2 million of the near 22 million total U.S.
Veterans were female, a statistic that is expected to continue increasing at a rate of approximately 18,000 females per year for the next 10 years, making them the fastest growing cohort within the military population (NCVAS, 2017). The growing number of female Veterans are bringing with them a set of unique health concerns, some of which are not being addressed due to various barriers and stigmas attached to seeking assistance through the VA. These women deserve to be aware of and feel comfortable seeking effective attention and treatment from the VA. The question is whether the VA is ready and capable to provide gender-specific healthcare for this special
population.
With this research I hope to shed light on the barriers some female Veterans face while seeking and obtaining benefits and services.
Purpose of the Study/Objectives
The purpose of this study is to gather information and examine the prevalence and reasoning of why female Veterans may not utilize the programs and services provided to them by the VA and other Veteran organizations.
This information will be used to improve understanding of the current challenges and barriers faced by the largest, most recent cohort of female Veterans when seeking physical and mental health treatment. The objective will be to inform service providers of the importance of gender-sensitivity and acknowledging the stigmas and obstacles faced by female Veterans in order to begin the restoration of their ability to function.
Gaps in Literature
As the influx of female Veteran’s continues to increase for the foreseeable future, it is of utmost importance that the following gaps be addressed in future research:
• Longitudinal and interventional studies on the long-term effects of military service on female Veterans.
• Effects of deployments and military service on the families of female Veterans.
• Strategies to address early education on programs and services dedicated to military Veterans and the best practices for obtaining VHA treatment and
benefits.
• Provisions of gender-sensitive care within the VHA system.
• Research conducted on the most effective means of bringing awareness of services allotted to military members transitioning into Veteran status.
• Research into the role gender may play in diagnosis and treatment.
Description of Research Questions The following are questions that will be addressed throughout this study:
• What are the current barriers this population faces in utilizing existing resources?
• Why are OIF/OEF female Veterans not seeking healthcare treatment from the VA?
• What are the factors associated with VHA use among female Veterans?
• What are some common barriers faced by this population?
• Are the available resources able to address the needs of this population?
• How would this population describe their needs?
• Are existing resources underutilized?
• Are there current gaps in VA gender-specific services?
• Which VHA programs do veterans use most?
• What are the demographics and socio-economic status of post-9/11 female Veterans and how do they differ from male Veterans and civilians?
• What, if any, are the military trends females face at higher rates than men?
• What are the most pertinent risks faced by transitioning Veterans?
Study Rationale
When meeting a Veteran, one may only initially consider the difficulties they have faced while serving in war zones and may neglect the difficulties faced since leaving the military. A transitioning servicemember faces various issues when returning to civilian life, some of which may be difficult to express or handle alone (Ahern, Worthen, Masters, Lippman, Ozer, & Moos, 2015). These issues include physical and mental health conditions acquired throughout their time serving in the military. The top two most prevalent VA service connected disabilities for post-9/11 female Veterans are post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and major depressive disorder, yet there are less post-9/11 Veterans enrolled in and using VA health services than any other cohort (NCVAS, 2016). In 2016, the VA released a report on Veteran suicides from 2001-2014, concluding that U.S. adult civilian suicides increased 23 percent, while Veteran suicide increased 32 percent, making the risk of suicide 21 percent greater for U.S. Veterans (2016). The same report also determined that the risk of suicide in female Veterans between the ages of 18-29 was 12 times the rate of civilian females (U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, 2016). Due to statistics like these, Congress passed The Female Suicide Prevention Act of 2015, which directs the VA to identify mental health care and suicide prevention programs that are most effective for female Veterans (2016). Female Veterans deserve gender-specific treatment and efficient care that addresses mental health barriers to help reduce the high suicide rate of this population.
Significance for Social Work Practice and Policy
This study will help social workers and mental health providers who currently or will one day work with female Veterans within the VHA or other Veteran organizations to better understand perceptions and barriers faced by female Veterans when accessing care. The data and information provided will allow treatment providers to better determine the most effective and beneficial services and treatment options for this underserved population.