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Annie Taylor is a 2019 graduate of the PsyD Program in Clinical Psychology at Antioch University, New England

Dissertation Committee

  • Roger L. Peterson, PhD, ABPP, Committee Chair
  • Barbara Belcher-Timme, PsyD, Committee Member
  • Vince Pignatiello, PsyD, Committee Member

Keywords

alcohol misuse, veterans, integrated treatment, competence

Document Type

Dissertation

Publication Date

2019

Abstract

Veterans are at an elevated risk of alcohol misuse compared to civilians due to a convergence of factors that create a highly concentrated risk of alcohol misuse among this population. Given this troubling finding and the lack of research in the realm of clinician competence related to alcohol misuse among veterans, this study attempted to fill the apparent gap in literature by way of understanding the perceptions of alcohol misuse in the veteran population and the approach to treatment by mental health providers in the Veterans’ Affairs (VA) system. In the current study, which utilized online survey methodology, VA mental health providers were asked about their perceived competence, clinical training, treatment modality, and views on the problem of alcohol misuse among veterans. This study’s findings recognized the need for clinicians to have more training and a greater understanding of the veterans that they are treating. Additional findings include (a) clinicians need more consistent training on treating alcohol misuse; (b) clinicians are in fact using evidence-based interventions while treating alcohol misuse; (c) clinicians lack an understanding of gender, racial, and ethnic differences while treating alcohol misuse; and (d) clinicians believe veterans who misuse alcohol can benefit from therapy. Ultimately, this study identified strengths and areas for improvement in the treatment of veterans who misuse alcohol. This information can be used to increase training experiences of VA clinicians and thereby better the care of veterans who misuse alcohol in the VA system.

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Annie Taylor

ORCID Scholar ID# : 0000-0002-8067-1036

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