First Advisor

Parnell, Kenneth

First Committee Member

Rings, Jeffrey

Second Committee Member

Vaughan, Angela

Third Committee Member

Romero, Deborah

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

Document Type

Dissertation

Date Created

8-2025

Department

College of Education and Behavioral Sciences, Applied Psychology and Counselor Education, APCE Student Work

Abstract

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of post-9/11 veterans of color (VoCs) who have received mental health services from White mental health providers (WMHPs) within the current sociopolitical context. Specifically, this study addressed two research questions: (a) How do VoCs describe their experiences of receiving mental health care from White providers in the current sociopolitical environment? and (b) How can White mental health providers improve their understanding of the identities of VoCs to provide greater quality of care, to improve treatment retention, and ultimately help to achieve better mental health outcomes for VoCs? Twelve VoCs (5 female, 7 male) participated in semi-structured interviews exploring their perspectives on receiving mental health care from WMHPs in the current sociopolitical context. Participants were post-9/11 Veterans, a population in which over 2.75 million U.S. service members have been deployed during Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF). In this cohort of veterans, stigma and cultural factors, such as military stoicism, may impede these veterans from seeking out mental health care. It is also recognized in the mental health field that communities of color have historically received inferior mental health treatment. Due to their group membership as veterans as well as people of color, VoCs encounter unique challenges stemming from the intersection of these identities. Findings revealed two key themes in response to Research Question 1: (a) Cultural Responsiveness, Identity and Trust and (b) Sociopolitical Climate and Barriers to Care. In response to Research Question 2, two additional themes emerged: (a) Intersection of Culture and Military Identities and (b) Recommendations for Improving Mental Healthcare. These findings offered clinical insights for WMHPs seeking to provide more culturally sensitive and effective care for VoCs. This study contributed to the limited literature with VoCs and could underscore the need for mental health professionals to engage more deeply with the complex identities of the Veterans they serve.

Abstract Format

html

Keywords

veterans; intersectionality; veterans of color; veteran mental health

Places

Greeley, Colorado

Extent

268 pages

Local Identifiers

Alverio_unco_0161D_11364.pdf

Rights Statement

Copyright is held by the author.

Digital Origin

Born digital

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