Predictors of Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom Veterans' Engagement in Mental Health Treatment

Medical records of 429 Veterans were examined to determine predictors of initial engagement and treatment retention in mental health services at a southwestern VA medical center. The data were obtained from post-deployment intake surveys of Veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom (OIF/OEF) between September 2007 and January 2010. Results showed the best predictor for initial engagement and retention in mental health services was the number of diagnoses; the higher the number of diagnoses, the more likely Service members were to engage and stay in treatment.